The City of Johannesburg is continuing with the demolition of illegally built structures on Small Street in the CBD as part of a broader bylaw enforcement operation aimed at restoring law and order in the inner city.
City officials are demolishing structures attached to multiple buildings in the city centre, with the operation intended to improve public safety, address illegal building activity, and ensure compliance with municipal bylaws.
Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Councillor Dada Morero, said the operation is part of an ongoing program to deal with illegal structures, illegal trade, and other unlawful activities.
“We are continuing to enforce the bylaws, deal with illegal structures, illegal trade and all other issues that are illegal so that we can restore law and order,” Morero said. “Once you are done in this precinct, we will be moving and preparing for the next one just along the marble hall.”
Morero noted that while he did not yet have exact figures on how many structures had been demolished since the operation began the previous day, officials were pleased with the progress made so far.
The mayor expressed hope that the Department of Home Affairs would soon join the operation to help identify undocumented foreign nationals, stating: “Hopefully Home Affairs will also be joining us quite soon to help us with those that are illegal and undocumented, so we can deal with these issues in the inner city.”
According to Morero, most businesses have welcomed the operation. “Most businesses are happy with the fact that we are acting, we’re bringing order. There’s movement of people now is free,” he said.
Three structures behind the operation site are still awaiting confirmation of their legal standing before any further action is taken.
The mayor confirmed that the enforcement campaign will continue throughout the year, with thorough preparation before each phase. The next action will target the area around Marble Hall.
Morero stressed that Johannesburg Metro Police Department teams would remain on site to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the city’s absence to rebuild illegal structures.
