More than 400 families have resorted to living in a graveyard in Sea View, Coedmore, Durban, citing a lack of housing and land as their only option. Some residents claim they have been occupying the area since the early 2000s, while others trace their settlement back to as early as 1981.
A Desperate Situation
Families living in the cemetery say they have nowhere else to go, with many moving to Durban in search of economic opportunities only to find themselves without proper housing. The situation has raised concerns about the living conditions of children who play among graves, unaware of the sacred nature of their surroundings.
Government Response
KwaZulu-Natal Human Settlements spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya confirmed that the provincial government is currently profiling the families to determine a long-term solution. The profiling follows an instruction from MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Sipho “S’bu” Duma, who has called for urgent intervention.
Sibiya acknowledged that while some residents had previously been relocated to areas like Wentworth and Chatsworth, many have returned due to unresolved housing shortages. He emphasized the need to respect the sanctity of cemeteries while addressing the broader housing crisis.
Challenges and Proposed Solutions
The provincial government has identified six parcels of land for housing development, including areas provided by traditional leaders. However, Sibiya noted that significant funding—approximately R1.7 billion for bulk infrastructure—is required to make these lands habitable.
In the short term, authorities are engaging with local leaders and research institutions to assess the scale of displacement and prioritize families living in flood-prone and disaster-stricken zones.
A Persistent Cycle
Despite past efforts to relocate residents, the lack of affordable housing and economic opportunities continues to drive people back to informal settlements, including the graveyard. Sibiya stressed the need for a collective approach, urging communities and government to work together to find sustainable solutions.
What’s Next?
While profiling is underway, no immediate timeline has been set for relocation. Residents remain in limbo, caught between the need for shelter and the ethical concerns of living in a burial ground.
As the government seeks long-term answers, the plight of Sea View’s cemetery dwellers highlights South Africa’s persistent housing crisis—one that demands urgent and lasting intervention.
