This research examines how apartheid legislation and history have shaped poverty and inequality in Cato Manor (part of the municipality of Durban, South Africa); it assesses the impact of post-apartheid reconstruction and development strategies in Cato Manor; and identifies the different forms of violence experienced such as crime, gender-based violence and service delivery protests. Forced evictions, housing shortages, conflicts over land, municipal corruption, police brutality, poor service delivery, repression, xenophobia, poverty and inequality have sparked many acts of violence. Needs of residents must be satisfactorily addressed. Recommendations are made