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Today, November 16 2020, the City of Johannesburg will approach the courts on an urgent basis to source demolition orders for two properties in Region F1.

The urgent application follows a visit by the MMC for Development Planning in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Lawrence Khoza, who was accompanied by the Executive Director Amolemo Mothoagae, the Chief Operations Officer of the City, Floyd Brink, and Acting Chief of the JMPD Angie Mokasi at the weekend on two properties, one in Kensington and the other in Sandringham.

The owners of the two properties were found to have flouted City of Johannesburg’s by-laws and moves are at an advanced stage to halt all construction on these sites.

Following the inspection on both properties, it was found that the structures contravened building regulations, were non-compliant, deliberately deviated from the original approved plans and the owners consistently ignored the departmental notices issued to them in this regard and continued with the construction work.

MMC Khoza observed that more structures have been built without following the legal processes and without approved building plans.

City officials have issued notices and confiscated building material and equipment to stop the construction work pending the finalisation of demolition orders.

“Lawlessness will not be tolerated in the City of Johannesburg. Illegal buildings have become a major problem in the City of Johannesburg. The Department of Development Planning, the JMPD, Group Legal and other key City Departments are determined to put a stop to illegal buildings in the City,” said MMC Khoza.

He added that those who abuse the system will feel the might of the City and will be held to account. The City of Johannesburg welcomes development in the City, but these should not infringe on our by-laws and policy decisions.

“The operation this weekend is not a once-off. More operations will be conducted on a regular basis and we will continue to visit various regions site inspections and take the necessary steps to ensure that such cases are dealt with in the city of Johannesburg.

“The Department of Development Planning takes such matters very seriously, hence there will be no tolerance for Property owners who refuse to follow necessary protocol. The City will do what is necessary to send a very strong message regarding the illegal erection of structures. There will be serious consequences for contravening building regulations,” said MMC Khoza, who urged residents to report illegal buildings as promptly as they see them. 

Issued by The City of Johannesburg