Construction of the Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter in Illovu, south of Durban is underway despite challenges.
Image: eThekwini Municipality
The eThekwini Municipality has outlined several reasons for delaying the construction of the 800-bed Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter in Illovo, south of Durban.
The municipality stated in previous reports that the shelter is one of the measures being taken to address homelessness and drug addiction, which has escalated in the Durban CBD. Through the municipality’s Qalakabusha project, they identified programmes that needed to be undertaken, including psycho-social support, rehabilitation, skills development and employment opportunities.
During an Executive Committee (Exco) meeting on Tuesday, municipal architects said that they are pushing to complete phase 1 of the shelter by May 30, 2026.
Clive Truter, project manager with eThekwini Technical Services- City Architects, explained that the significant scope expansion post procurement, resulted in a delay in the original completion dates of phase 1, October 17, 2025 and phase 2, January 23 2026.
The delays include that the technical documentation had to be supplemented in-flight with construction, which entailed additional regulatory and compliance requirements, including Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and stormwater management measures, due to the site's low-lying topography and limited municipal services capacity.
He said that in February 2026, a directive was given to provide accommodation for 800 occupants with facilities inclusive of place-making landscaping, an on-site clinic triage and the introduction of an industrial kitchen. This resulted in a phase 3 introduction to the project.
Truter explained to Exco that a dispute occurred with the phase 2 contractor and its domestic subcontractor at the advent of the 2026 construction year, which was only resolved in March 2026.
In addition to this, due to the dynamic scoping of the project, a compliance notice was issued by Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) on March 11 stating, "cease with further removal of soil on and infilling of any material site" relating to the stabilisation of exposed areas, installation of erosion and sediment controls, protection of sensitive zones, and securing of partially completed works to prevent environmental and safety risks.
“A probable prospect of success still exists to complete phases 1 and 2 by June 2026 under conditions that the commensurate performance metrics by the professional team and contractors are achieved, in addition to strict performance and consequent management by city architects,” Truter said.
He added that a portion of Block A (phase 2) and the multipurpose centre phase 1 protrudes into the environmentally protected area onsite. He said an environmental authority was obtained for phase 1 at the initiation of the project.
Truter said the strategy going forward was to meet with EDTEA officials to submit a section 24G environmental authorisation application by May 30, 2026.
“We will conduct public participation meetings with all affected stakeholders to respond to all queries and concerns raised. Also, to get support and interest from the social development cluster for the co-creation of the operability of the facility through a guiding coalition of sector specialists,” he said.
Truter said they will appoint a landscape architect and stormwater management specialist to assist with the rehabilitation plan.
“There will be weekly site inspections to monitor progress and ensure technical queries are resolved," he said.