Last Tuesday, 12 March 2019, the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Herman Mashaba, participated in a multi-disciplinary #BuyaMthetho operation within region Region B, focusing on the areas of Brixton and Westdene, intended to assist with by-law enforcement within the area.
Mashaba and City officials visited a number of hijacked and so-called bad properties which community members had raised concerns about within the areas.
One of the properties had proved problematic for about a decade now, and was continually raided since - with various citations being directed to its owner.
The six properties identified on the day, including the infamous 10A in Westdene, appeared to have all been hijacked, with the slumlords benefiting from residents living in inhumane conditions within the properties.
Three of the properties are said to belong to a single individual. It alleged that he owns 60 other properties within the City which are in a similar condition.
Cumulatively, the properties forming part of Tuesday’s operation are said to owe the City of Joburg in excess of R5 million.
Mayor Mashaba said after the raid: “I have since instructed the City to begin investigating the process for expropriating these properties for the purpose of ensuring that they are developed into affordable, safe and quality accommodation for some of our poorest residents.
“Indeed, some of these properties are located close to institutions of learning within the City and would ideally serve as quality affordable accommodation for students.”
He also revealed that he had requested that the City, including its Department of Social Development, the JMPD, the SAPS, and immigration officers from the Department of Home Affairs, conduct an audit of persons living within the identified properties.
He said it was important to “profile occupants living in these buildings and ensure that support is provided to those most in need”.
