Update:
Journalist Lungile Dube is on the scene of the demolition and is reporting live from the scene. Here are images of the demolition:
This was the City of Johannesburg’s fifth demolition of illegal structures. The house was located on Geelwenk Street in Rabie Ridge.
ALSO READ: TAKE NOTE: Second round of demolitions underway in Rabie Ridge today
According to Poppy Louw, the stakeholder manager at the office of the MMC for Development Planning, the owner of the property had received a demolition court order in June 2016.
“The property is being demolished due to encroachment and building illegally. The owner was informed about the demolition prior in order to remove their belongings,” said Louw.
The demolition programme began on 31 August in Northcliff and Cyrildene.
Yesterday, two more illegal structures were brought down in Cosmo City.
“There’s 28 demolition court order in the City’s possession but as we continue with the program people are starting to come out to comply,” said Louw.
Journalist Lungile Dube was on the scene of the demolition and reported live from the scene. See her tweets as the action unfolded:
Development Planning Dept says there are 28 demolition court orders in the City's possession but people are starting to comply #RabieRidgeDemolition
— Midrand Reporter (@MidrandReporter) September 14, 2018
The bulldozer moves onto the property to prepare for the demolition. The owner is yet to remove her property #RabieRidgeDemolition pic.twitter.com/FGi7wIlOJT
— Midrand Reporter (@MidrandReporter) September 14, 2018
A City official tells the Rabie Ridge property owner to remove her furniture before they demolish the house. She has been given 20 minutes to do so #RabieRidgeDemolition pic.twitter.com/aiw4WBGdUt
— Midrand Reporter (@MidrandReporter) September 14, 2018
City officials reveal that the owner was informed about the demolition last week Friday #RabieRidgeDemolition
— Midrand Reporter (@MidrandReporter) September 14, 2018
Cllr Lesiba Lamola has arrived on the scene of the #RabieRidgeDemolition and asks City officials if a notice was issued
— Midrand Reporter (@MidrandReporter) September 14, 2018
The property owner says she is the co-owner of the property and was not informed about the demolition #RabieRidgeDemolition
— Midrand Reporter (@MidrandReporter) September 14, 2018
Cllr Lamola says he would not interfere with the law as a court order has been issued but wanted to find out as a servant of the community #RabieRidgeDemolition
— Midrand Reporter (@MidrandReporter) September 14, 2018
The City's official says the legal process began 10 months ago and they were liaising with the owner of the property. Time for negotiations has lapsed and the City says it's there to demolish #RabieRidgeDemolition
— Midrand Reporter (@MidrandReporter) September 14, 2018
The City officials reveal the house has no planning and extended onto its neighbour's land #RabieRidgeDemolition
— Midrand Reporter (@MidrandReporter) September 14, 2018
More to follow as it unfolds.
