Four suspects who were arrested at a hijacked property in Malvern, east of Johannesburg on Friday evening, are expected to appear in the Jeppestown Magistrate's Court today.
They will be charged for trespassing, malicious damage to property and contempt of court.
It is alleged that the rightful owner bought the property in 2015 and was subsequently registered into his company's name in March 2016. According to the owner the property was vacant when he bought it.
He then rented it out to eight tenants who were paying monthly rental to an agency that was manning the property. In July 2016 the tenants stopped paying their monthly rental and hijacked the property.
The owner then approached the High Court where an eviction order was granted in April 2018. The eviction was executed in September 2018 and security personnel were hired to guard the property. However, the suspects attacked the security personnel and forcefully moved back into the property.
The matter was then reported to the South African Police Service (Saps) in Cleveland and to the City's Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS) for investigation. A sting operation was then conducted last night and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) was also roped in.
The property has now been handed over to its rightful owner.
We are committed to ensuring that we stop the rot in our inner city and make it a prosperous and inclusive place for our people to live work and play.
I would like to encourage people to report any fraud and corruption activities through our 24hour tipoff hotline 0800 002 587 or visit the offices of GFIS situated at 48 Ameshoff Street, Braamfontein.
Cllr Herman Mashaba
Executive Mayor
City of Joburg
For further information, please contact:
Lucky Sindane
Director: Strategic Stakeholder Management
Group Forensic and Investigation Services
Call: 065 865 0696
Email: LuckySi@joburg.org.za
OR
Luyanda Mfeka
Director of Communications
Office of the Executive Mayor
Call: 076 171 5978
Email: luyandam@joburg.org.za
