A joint crime prevention operation nabbed seven suspects on 24 October at a hijacked industrial building along Vincent Tshabalala Road, Kew.
In a statement, Mayor Herman Mashaba said the two suspects who are due in court, were arrested in a collaboration with the Joburg Metro, South African and National Traffic Police; Department of Home Affairs; City Power; and Joburg Water led by the City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Services Unit (GFIS).
“The suspects, who are undocumented foreign nationals, will be assessed by home affairs to ascertain their information. Two of them were also selling liquor illegally and had more than 20 cases of alcohol, which were confiscated,” the statement said.
According to Mashaba, it’s essential to bring back the rule of law in the city and rein in criminal elements, like landlords who take advantage of desperate people and house them under deplorable conditions. “We have over 700 properties which are confirmed to be hijacked in Johannesburg and 31 of them have been handed back to the rightful owners”.
Mashaba said the rundown buildings should instead be turned into quality low-cost housing for residents and affordable rental spaces for small businesses. “I am committed to ensuring that this rot comes to an end and to make the city a prosperous and inclusive place for our people to live, work and play.”
He encouraged people to report any fraud and corruption activities through the 24hour tip-off hotline 080 000 2587 or visit the GFIS offices at 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein.
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