A man who is believed to be homeless has been arrested following a fatal stabbing in Jamieson Park, near the popular Florida Road precinct in Morningside, Durban, on Friday.
The victim, an adult male, succumbed to multiple stab wounds after a violent incident that drew a rapid response from private security agencies and emergency services.
Ensure Security’s Tactical Intervention Unit was among the first on the scene, where they found the man with fatal injuries.
Ensure Security’s Kyle van Reenen said upon arrival, response teams located an adult male who had sustained multiple stab wounds.
“The victim had suffered fatal injuries and was declared deceased on the scene by attending paramedics,” he said.
In addition to the deceased, a woman was also injured during the incident, sustaining a stab wound to the face. She was immediately treated and stabilised on site before being taken to the hospital for further medical care.
The alleged perpetrator, according to Van Reenen, is believed to be a homeless man who was apprehended at the scene by private security personnel and subsequently detained by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Provincial police spokesperson Sergeant Thenjiswa Ngcobo confirmed the arrest.
“Police in Berea have arrested a man for murder following an incident in which a 39-year-old man was allegedly stabbed to death on Florida Road, Morningside, on February 27, 2026.”
Ngcobo said the suspect will appear in court soon.
This incident follows closely on the heels of a separate, serious stabbing in the Durban CBD the night before, where a man was left in critical condition.
On Thursday, another suspect, reported to be homeless, was arrested after allegedly stabbing a 20-year-old man near the N3 bridge.
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Paul Magwaza confirmed the second arrest.
“Police in Durban Central have arrested a 35-year-old suspect for the attempted murder of a 20-year-old man, which occurred on Thursday, February 26, 2026, on AB Xuma Street, Durban. The victim sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital for medical attention.”
He said the suspect is due to appear in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Both matters are now under investigation by the SAPS.
These violent incidents involving alleged homeless individuals come amid persistent and escalating concerns about the state of homelessness and drug addiction in Durban, particularly in and around the CBD and key business precincts.
The eThekwini Municipality is currently under pressure from residents, businesses, and opposition parties to find a sustainable and humane solution to the crisis.
One of the central points of contention is the development of the Sakhithemba Homeless Shelter in Illovo, which has seen its scope significantly expanded to approximately 1,200 beds.
While the municipality views the shelter as a comprehensive part of its multi-sectoral strategy offering life-skills development, substance abuse support, and structured reintegration pathways, it has been met with criticism.
Dr Raymond Perrier, director of the Denis Hurley Centre, has repeatedly stressed that the Illovo facility, situated far from the CBD, is not a suitable solution for the deeply addicted individuals currently residing on streets like Che Guevara Road (formerly Moore Road).
Perrier argued that the shelter’s intended purpose is incompatible with the needs of those struggling with severe addiction, especially given its proximity to a primary school, and has raised concerns about the city’s lack of expertise in running a rehabilitation centre.
The ongoing tension is particularly evident in the Umbilo and Albert Park vicinities. This is where numerous makeshift camps have been established by hundreds of homeless individuals and drug addicts.
Their presence frequently results in obstructed traffic and a continuous stream of reports concerning crime and anti-social behaviour, which forms the current backdrop to this debate.
The main gateway to the Umbilo area is a “lawless, filthy, and dangerous zone”, according to the Umbilo Business Association (UBA), which has consistently raised alarms that this state prevents the area from thriving.
The issue is deep-seated and complex, as structures and vagrants often reappear within hours, despite ongoing clean-up operations by metro police.
Mayor Cyril Xaba has admitted that the required interventions need to be “lawful, humane, and sustainable”, stressing that family reintegration is the most important part of the process.
karen.singh@inl.co.za
