145 people evacuated from hijacked buildings in the inner city

Share the Article:

About 145 people currently living in the Moth Building have been evacuated on Wednesday morning in efforts to address problem properties and hijacked buildings in the inner city.

This as the City of Johannesburg intensifies ongoing commitment to tackling the pressing issues as part of the first phase of the bad buildings strategy.

The evacuation follows a court order obtained by the city for the Moth Building, as well as eight other buildings which have been deemed unsafe for habitation due to the risk of collapse.

According to the city, this [order] has enabled the relocation of residents to safer areas, including Fleurhof. Once evacuated, the buildings will be sealed off, demolished, and earmarked for future redevelopment.

Mayor Dada Morero said services such as water and electricity will be permanently disconnected to prevent reinvasion adding that they remain committed to revitalising the inner city, while ensuring the dignified evacuation of those affected.

He also stated that they will work tirelessly to ensure a balanced implementation that takes into consideration the potential impact on the occupiers of the buildings.

“While the city acknowledges its constitutional obligations regarding emergency accommodation, it also places responsibility on private property owners who neglect property maintenance while continuing to collect rent.

Alternative for those living in hijacked buildings

“In preparation for the evacuation, the city has acquired an alternative building to provide temporary accommodation for those affected. This operation marks a significant step in the city’s efforts to revitalise the inner city and restore dignity to its residents.

“The city is committed to finding sustainable solutions that balance the needs of property owners, tenants, and the community at large. This proactive measure aims to mitigate the risk of displacement and prevent disasters such as the Usindiso Building and Jeppestown fire incidents,” he remarked.

The mayor added that the city is working closely with various stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, social development, human settlements, and community organisations, to ensure a coordinated and effective execution of the evacuation operation.

He highlighted that this operation is a critical component of the city’s broader strategy to address the prevalence of problem properties and hijacked buildings in the inner city.

“We are here as part of the evacuation program under the rejuvenation of the inner city. We have been engaging with communities who are staying in a hijacked building which is a property owned by the city of Johannesburg.

“Throughout the engagements we have arrived at the conclusion that we will move the residents to an area in Fleurhof where we’ve got proper rental stock in any case where we are, we have people paying rentals up to R1500.

“By intensifying enforcement and increasing community engagement, the city aims to create a safer, more vibrant, and prosperous urban environment for all residents.

ALSO READ | No Christmas gifts to employees: Pikitup urge residents to refrain

“So, we think they will  be able to afford where we are taking them. As part of the process is to then find cheaper accommodations which will due in the inner city, we’ve already launched one in the last two months.

“That project is housing 155 rooms and the rentals are between R900 to R1500 which we think people will be able to afford as they are already paying to syndicates and criminal groups that are collecting rental from our people under these bad living conditions.

“Looking at this building there’s shacks inside, and [the building] may collapse and catch fire at any given time. We think government must act responsibly and take people to better, safer place which is exactly what we are doing,” Morero concluded.