The office of the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg released a statement reporting that 32 people were arrested on 12 October following a City Crime Prevention Operation in three hijacked properties in the inner city.
The operation was led by the City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Services Unit in conjunction with the South African police, the Department of Home Affairs, Metro police, Emergency Management Services (EMS) and the City’s environmental health, citizen relationship and urban management as well as social development departments.
In the statement, Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba disclosed that properties that were targeted during the operation include Rotary House, Remington Building and New Nation Hotel in Joburg.
The property owners were issued with compliance notices by the Environmental Health Department and EMS.
Mashaba also said the persons arrested are all undocumented immigrants and they were detained a Hillbrow Police Station.
“They will appear in court within 48 hours. Immigration officers from the Department of Home Affairs are due to process those who were arrested to ascertain the relevant information,” Mashaba explained.
During this operation, they also took the opportunity to collect data such as age, sex, employment status on the occupants residing in the building.
“It is vital that we profile occupants living in these buildings and ensure that together with the rightful owners we are able to find alternative accommodation for them where required.”
Since the approval for fixing the housing crisis within the inner city by the City’s Council, Mashaba said 12 City-owned properties have been made available for the purpose of creating quality low-cost housing within the inner city.
“The City has conducted an audit of some 500 bad buildings, about 134 of which are confirmed as hijacked. 24 of the 500 bad buildings belong to the City. All of these buildings represent opportunities for creating affordable housing.”
With the assistance of the police and the Department of Home Affairs, Mashaba and his team aim to intensify these crime prevention operations.
“It is essential that we bring back the rule of law in our city and take it back from the criminal elements such as landlords who take advantage of desperate people and house them under deplorable conditions.”
Mashaba also extended his gratitude to those who played a role in the successful operation.
Edited by Stacey Woensdregt
During yesterday's Inner City raid, conducted by General Sibiya's team, 32 people were arrested and due to appear in court in 48 hours. pic.twitter.com/udzBqQyekk
— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) October 13, 2017
Don't stop. Push wayawaya. We want to be proud of Jozi again.
— Abuti Mosebetsi Mofokeng (@advmofokeng1) October 13, 2017
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