Metro police destroy illegal structures in Ward 105
ALEX – Zinto Ncube, the owner of one of the illegal structures that was demolished along Laduma Street, said he was puzzled by the City's action to demolish their structures without giving them a warning.
The Johannesburg Metro police bylaw enforcement unit recently embarked on an operation to demolish all unoccupied and illegal structures built in Ext 7, Tsutsumani.
Metro police spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said the demolition operation was lawful and only unoccupied structures were destroyed.
“The operation was not conducted as a result of a court order. There were no people living in the structures. All demolished structures were under construction, in such a case there is no need of a court order. [Metro police] had to stop the construction of those illegal structures,” Minnaar said.
Zinto Ncube, the owner of one of the illegal structures that was demolished along Laduma Street, said he was puzzled by the City’s action to demolish their structures without giving them a warning.
“I’ve been running my business [window frames and burglar door welding] here since 2018 and no one has ever told me it was illegal to operate on this site. I started this business with my friends because we could not find jobs and we decided to start something so that we don’t find ourselves involved in criminal activities.
“Our government cannot create jobs and at the same time suppress those who create jobs. Things are bad and the economy is not doing well. If you take the only bread we have what shall we eat,” Ncube said.
Ward 105 councillor, Tefo Raphadu said he was informed by Metro police about the demolition operations to be conducted in his ward.
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