eThekwini residents have built shacks directly on top of graves in the cemetery
More than 400 people have settled in shacks on graves at Seaview Cemetery, prompting the KZN government to begin profiling the families and finding housing solutions.
Over 400 community members have settled informally at Seaview Cemetery in Ward 64, within the eThekwini Municipality.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, said some residents have built shacks directly over graves.
Urgent Profiling of Affected Families
On Sunday, Duma directed the Head of the Department of Human Settlements, Max Mbili, to collaborate with the municipality and fast-track the profiling of families living at the Coedmore Road cemetery.
He also reminded residents that the democratic government, led by Nelson Mandela, made housing development in the area a priority soon after 1994.
“Priority was given to families who had lived in the area since 1981. It is unfortunate that despite having relocated communities, some came back to the area and others built new informal settlements in the same area,” Duma said.
Past Relocations Ignored
Around the year 2000, officials moved families from the cemetery site to newly built homes in Welbedacht, Chatsworth.
Those involved included the late KZN MEC for Housing Dumisane Makhaye, former Housing MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu, former eThekwini Mayor Obed Mlaba, and Nigel Gumede, who once chaired the Human Settlements and Infrastructure Committee.
Duma recognised that people continue to migrate to eThekwini in search of better socio-economic prospects amid housing and land shortages, but emphasised the importance of respecting burial sites.
“Cemeteries are sacred places where the dead must be allowed to rest in peace. We call on communities to respect the departed soul,” he said.
Housing Research and Future Plans
The Department of Human Settlements continues to engage with Ratepayers Associations regarding state-owned land where housing projects face delays.
According to The Citizen, Duma confirmed that the department is conducting comprehensive research into housing needs across four priority groups:
- Households living on privately owned land facing eviction
- Households in rural or informal settlements in disaster-prone areas
- Households living in graveyards, such as Seaview Cemetery
- Farm dwellers
The research will involve institutions such as the Moses Kotane Research Institute, National Home Builders Registration Council, Stats SA, CSIR, and the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
Agri-Village Programme Piloted
As research continues, the department has chosen the Greater Kokstad Local Municipality as the pilot site for the Agri-Village programme.
In partnership with the Department of Land Affairs and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, the initiative seeks to improve the living conditions of farm dwellers by providing proper housing, water, electricity, roads, and access to socio-economic opportunities.