The City of Johannesburg has started to profile residents who live in hijacked buildings in the inner city before it starts evictions, finding alternative accommodation and eventually, redeveloping the dilapidated structures.
On 30 June, the City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service Unit conducted a crime prevention operation in two well-known hijacked buildings in the inner city, Vannin Court and Florence House.
The City’s Executive Mayor, Herman Mashaba said 23 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested during the operation and detained at Hillbrow Police Station. Some stores were also fined for selling expired goods.
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In conjunction with the South African Police Service, the Department of Home Affairs, Metro police, Emergency Management Services and the City’s Health and Social Development departments, the operation focused on collecting data on the people living in the buildings.
“Before we are able to obtain an eviction order, it is vital that we profile the occupants living in the building and ensure that we are able to find alternative accommodation for them,” said Mashaba.
“Once the City is able to find alternative accommodation, it will be able to close off the buildings to redevelop them into affordable housing.
“Hijacked buildings are a major problem in our inner city, with our people living in deplorable conditions and being abused by slumlords who extort money from them. At Vannin Court, it was found that the occupiers are renting beds in the units from ‘owners’ for amounts ranging from R250 to R1 200 per person.”
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Hijacked buildings are indeed one of the biggest issues in the inner city. Row upon row of high-rises have become silent giants in bustling Joburg. Young adults, the elderly and even children peek out of broken windows only to see rows of sleeping bags lined on the pavement below.
City sidewalks have become home to 3 500 people, according to a census done by the Department of Social Development three years ago. This number excludes people who live in hijacked buildings.
“Crime has spiralled out of control in the area, with muggings and violent crime becoming common place. What makes matters worse is the fact that criminals run into these buildings and hide when being pursued by the police.”
The inner city is a special project for Mashaba since taking office. He has made oversight visits and consulted with various departments to come up with solutions to counter the decay the inner city faces.
The Urban Development Zone tax incentive, which was announced in 2003, is still the City’s foot to stand on when convincing and enticing potential investors to invest in the once-vibrant inner city.
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