Officials Inspect Run-Down Buildings in Johannesburg’s Inner City
Natalie Nyathi
Acting Mayor Kenny Kunene was in Johannesburg’s inner city on Tuesday, leading inspections of buildings suspected of harboring undocumented immigrants. Accompanied by JMPD officers and immigration officials, Kunene aimed to enforce city bylaws in the CBD.
The inspection along Marshall Street revealed several hijacked buildings, each crowded with shacks on every floor. In one of the buildings, Kunene was escorted by a team of police officers, where electricity cables hung from the ceiling, illegally supplying power to the shacks inside.
During the operation, officials discovered a squat camp in one of the buildings, raising significant concerns about living conditions, especially since families, including children as young as one year old, and a crèche were present. The squat camp primarily consisted of Tanzanian nationals along with some South Africans.
Kunene emphasized his commitment to addressing the issue of illegal immigrants occupying these buildings. “We will also check those who don’t have the right papers to be in the City of Johannesburg, and once we find them… van!” he stated, vowing to take strict action.
South Africans found in the buildings will be evacuated to safe accommodations, while foreign nationals will be processed to determine if they have the necessary documentation to remain in South Africa. Several individuals believed to be undocumented immigrants were arrested during the operation.
Kunene is focused on restoring order in the area, particularly after facing criticism for his past actions. In a previous term, he controversially demolished a hijacked building in Windsor East without a court order, which led to public backlash. Additional, he was captured on video in a confrontation with individuals accused of selling counterfeit goods.
While the specific buildings targeted during this operation were not named, this effort is part of a larger plan to improve Johannesburg’s urban spaces. Officials are committed to finding solutions for residents affected by these inspections.
