In-TWEETS: Shocking conditions as the City of Johannesburg inspects problem properties in Brixton

The City of Johannesburg said in a series of tweets that the problem properties being inspected today are in Brixton, Westdene, Richmond and Windsor East. These properties owe the City money, use illegal electricity connections, face health and environmental issues due to derelict properties, etc.

To assist with today’s inspection, various councillors of the affected areas are present. Environmental health, Johannesburg Road Agency, and Johannesburg Water are also assisting with the inspection.

One major problem that has been identified as being a contributing factor in the region b area is illegal dumping. Cleaning company, Pikitup is, however, working together with  Joburg by-laws to increase penalties for illegal dumping.

#BuyaMthetho The first property up for inspection is situated in Brixton and is said to be owned slum lord. ^GZ pic.twitter.com/wF0KJx2EyC

— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) March 12, 2019

#BuyaMthetho The neighbours of house No. 1 Reigate Str, Brixton have complained about constant overcrowding, dilapidating and illegally connected electricity ^GZ pic.twitter.com/rl1krQFmnG

— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) March 12, 2019

Operation #BuyaMthetho, is a daily ward based raid initiative focusing on the implementation of City's bylaws within the municipality. ^LM pic.twitter.com/coD3lkqjN2

— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) March 12, 2019

The City of Johannesburg said that the #BuyaMthetho operation will focus on issuing pre-termination notices to large business and property owners who have illegal connections to the City’s service.

#BuyaMthetho Mayor @HermanMashaba wants the expropriation of this property, to belong to the City and for it to be renovated and turned into affordable student accommodation ^GZ pic.twitter.com/oo7BoyG9UR

— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) March 12, 2019

#BuyaMthetho The issues of this Brixton property dates back to 2009 and it has been continuous ever since. An Environmental Health practitioner issued various citations to the owner and also notified internal stakeholders about blatant disregard of the bylaws ^GZ pic.twitter.com/1yLlVCyVdb

— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) March 12, 2019

Starting today's #BuyaMthetho operation in Reigate Street, Brixton. The property is owned by an alleged slum lord who has allowed the property to fall into disrepair. The slum lord is said to have up to 60 properties within the City which are not complaint. pic.twitter.com/EVQQnhTRCl

— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) March 12, 2019

Properties such as this need to be expropriated and turned into affordable housing, particularly student accommodation, seeing how close this property is to schooling institutions. pic.twitter.com/5T3rGMdp9G

— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) March 12, 2019

The City of Johannesburg says that the specific property is said to owe them just over R300 000 for illegally connected services. “The building is overcrowded with approximately 60 people living on the property. The identity and nationality of the persons are unknown. I have asked the City, together with Home Affairs, to conduct an audit of people living in 1 Reigate Street in Brixton,” Herman Mashaba said in a tweet.

#BuyaMthetho We're now at No 123, 125 & 127 Collins Street Brixton, one of the 5 problematic properties identified by the City ^GZ pic.twitter.com/AvsGrS50HI

— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) March 12, 2019

#BuyaMthetho This Brixton property has been handed to Group Forensic to deal with the matter. It is also owing the City millions of rands, an issue handed over to Building Control lawyers. This property is worth R2-million ^GZ pic.twitter.com/i56GLoUjWF

— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) March 12, 2019

#BuyaMthetho The property is owing City of Johannesburg plus minus R1.3m on electricity and plus minus R1.7m on water, rates and refuse. The property is hijacked by Zimbabweans, South Africans and Malawians. The property is not suitable for human beings to stay ^GZ pic.twitter.com/lTzcUYVkDH

— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) March 12, 2019

#BuyaMthetho Residents of this property asked to clean up their space ^GZ https://t.co/Q7VcKG6jGJ

— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) March 12, 2019

.@JHBWater disconnecting an illegal connection on the property #BuyaMthetho pic.twitter.com/xoppVGj9YU

— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) March 12, 2019

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