A crackdown by Joburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda together with members of the JMPD on hijacked and vandalised buildings have led to an arrest of 23 suspects including a Joburg Councillor.
The property in question belongs to the City of Joburg and is valued at R40 million and was intended to be used as a pound for the Joburg Metro Police Department.
But recently it was identified as a possible place of shelter for the survivors of the Usindiso House in Marshalltown where 77 people died and scores injured after the building caught fire.
During an inspection of the site, the Mayor and the JMPD found a team of people on site claiming to have been contracted by the owners to undertake construction work.
Twenty-three people were arrested during the operation and a TLB, forklift and building equipment were found on the site in the possession of the suspects.
Gwamanda said:“Today’s operation has resulted in the arrest of 23 suspects amongst whom is a councilor of the City. The suspects face charges of malicious damage to property and City infrastructure, theft and Vandalism.
“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 as a result 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.
“According to the preliminary investigation by the JMPD, there are allegations that a senior member of the South African Police Services (SAPS) may be involved in the ongoing invasion of the property.”
The 23 suspects arrested have been detained at Johannesburg Central Police Station and Gwamanda said he has since mandated the City Manager Floyd Brink to urgently take the necessary steps to protect and secure the pound and to prevent any further damage to its facilities.
“We will formally communicate to the Speaker the arrest of the Councillor 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.”
