EThekwini Deputy Mayor Councillor Zandile Myeni, who is also the Chairperson of the Security and Emergency Committee, has welcomed plans to reopen the Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter in Lovu.

HOPE for a dignified life is being revived for the City’s homeless people following eThekwini’s Safer Cities Unit tabling a R10 million budget for the rejuvenation of the Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter in Lovu. EThekwini Municipality’s Deputy Mayor and Chairperson of the Security and Emergency Committee Councillor Zandile Myeni lauded the plans, saying it will help change the lives of the homeless. The shelter, which is built on Municipal land, previously housed more than 400 homeless people. However, due to challenges, the shelter has been standing vacant. 

Councillor Myeni said while the reality is that most homeless people prefer living on the streets where they have the freedom to roam freely and consume illegal substances, the City has a responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its people. “We applaud the efforts from Safer Cities and sister departments. When we initially visited the shelter, it was in a dire and dilapidated state. Today we can actually see progress. We commend the 10-year journey to restoring the Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter back to its appropriate state,” said Deputy Mayor Myeni. Safer Cities said it proposed and tabled a R10 million budget for the rejuvenation project which will be presented in a phased approach. 

The next plan will be submitted in the next four weeks. Head of Safer Cities Martin Xaba said: “The facility will be managed by the City through the Safer Cities Unit with the sole purpose of restoring some or all of the patient’s physical, sensory, and mental capabilities that were lost due to injury, illness, or disease.” The Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter is among Safer Cities’ various facilities, programmes and initiatives being rolled out, including the Qalakabusha Homeless Project.