Lerato Mbhiza
Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda and the City’s JMPD conducted a sting operation on Wednesday to flush out suspected syndicates illegally occupying and vandalising city property.
The crackdown on illegal occupation and hijacked buildings comes after the devastating fire, which claimed the lives of 77 people who were illegally staying in a Marshalltown CBD building which used to be a shelter for abused women.
Gwamanda said they found a team at the building, claiming to be contracted by the owner of the site to undertake construction work.
“Today’s operation has resulted in the arrest of 23 suspects among whom is a councilor of the city. The suspects face charges of malicious damage to property and city infrastructure, theft, and vandalism,” said Gwamanda.
“According to the preliminary investigation by the JMPD, there are allegations that a senior member of the South African Police Services may be involved in the ongoing invasion of the property.”
Twenty-three suspects were arrested and detained at Johannesburg Central Police Station, he said after the JMPD seized a TLB, forklift and building equipment found on the site in the possession of the suspects.
“Our approach to illegality is now driven with greater urgency and firmness. It’s our intention to ensure that we prevent any further loss of life and disasters in the city because of illegally occupied and hijacked buildings.
“We are adopting a zero-tolerance approach and will be extending our operations to target those buildings belonging to the city that are currently in the hands of criminal syndicates,” said Gwamanda.
The mayor has mandated the city manager and city administration to urgently take steps to protect and secure the building and to prevent any further damage to its facilities.
“We will formally communicate to the speaker the arrest of the councilor and our disappointment that such allegations have arisen against the very persons we would expect to be the custodians of city properties and proponents of law and order,” said Gwamanda.
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