Thobeka Ngema|Published
Homeless residents in Durban have accused metro police of excessive force, pepper-spray attacks and harassment, prompting calls for accountability at a multi-party dialogue ahead of the November 4 local government elections.
The allegations were raised at the Denis Hurley Centre’s See Our Faces, Hear Our Voices dialogue in eThekwini, where homeless residents shared their experiences with representatives of the ANC, DA, EFF, IFP and MK Party.
Philani Mthembu, a member of the homeless community, accused metro police of using excessive force against people found sleeping in public spaces where they are not permitted to sleep. He said officers resorted to pepper spray when confronting them.
Other homeless residents echoed his concerns, alleging that they had been subjected to excessive physical force and harassment.
Responding to the allegations, metro police spokesperson Colonel Boysie Zungu said the department was unaware of any complaints of this nature. However, he said officers were routinely advised not to assault homeless people.
Homeless community presents election manifesto
The dialogue, moderated by Democracy Development Programme senior programme officer Sphamandla Brian Mhlongo, was hosted by the Denis Hurley Centre to ensure the concerns of homeless people were heard ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
The centre has also been working with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to help ensure that eThekwini’s homeless community is included in the electoral process.
During the event, representatives of the homeless community presented political parties with their 2026 Homeless Manifesto, compiled by members of the National Homeless Network and non-governmental organisations working with homeless people across the country.
The manifesto calls on political parties to commit to improving access to shelter, healthcare, sanitation, legal equality and economic opportunities. It also stresses that solutions to homelessness must be developed in direct consultation with the people affected.
The dialogue provided a platform for homeless residents to raise concerns about their treatment and living conditions, while putting pressure on political parties to address their needs and protect their rights.
ANC representative apologises for alleged police conduct
eThekwini Speaker and ANC representative Thabani Nyawose said metro police had no authority to beat or harass anyone, adding that law enforcement officers should make arrests rather than resort to illegal violence.
“But in my capacity as a speaker of council, I do feel that I have to apologise on behalf of the eThekwini Municipality which is the employer, all these metro police officers, because whatever they’re doing or they’ve done, they’ve no mandate from council,” Nyawose said.
“But as a leader standing in front of you, I have to take responsibility and apologise and commit myself that we will sit down with the city manager, Mr Mchunu, commissioner of metro police to address this matter urgently.”
DA calls for safe sleeping spaces
DA representative Zoë Solomon suggested that creating safe sleeping spaces in the city was the best way to address concerns about homeless people being moved, beaten or harassed, or having their identity documents and medication stolen or destroyed.
“If you choose to be in a safe sleep place, you are protected, you have your bag with you and you are in an enclosure,” Solomon said.
She welcomed Nyawose’s apology and highlighted concerns that the findings of disciplinary hearings were kept secret, with no retribution for the person who reported the alleged misconduct.
MK Party proposes oversight structure
MK Party representative Professor Thamsanqa Mkhize said a homeless person’s lack of accommodation must not expose them to arbitrary treatment, unlawful confiscation of property or discriminatory enforcement.
He said that, if elected, the MK Party would assess repeated cases of coercion by police and security forces and update municipal bylaws to ensure fairness for everyone in the municipality.
“We will be having the structure that will be overseeing those people. That structure will consist of people from the metro, from the SAPS, from homeless organisations. That will be going around and assessing those issues where there are repeated cases of the abuse of the people and then those matters will be reported and people will be suspended and prosecuted for the abuse of their power,” Mkhize said.
EFF says homelessness is a social issue
EFF representative Thabani Miya said a person could not be punished for sleeping in the wrong place, arguing that homelessness was a social issue rather than a crime.
He also apologised on behalf of the EFF for what he described as the “undeserved neglect”.