The City of Tshwane is taking a tough stance against hijacked buildings. This follows the Usindiso building fire in Johannesburg, which killed 77 people.
The City says it will either force the sale of these properties through the courts or legally expropriate them.
Tshwane Corporate and Shared Services MMC Kingsley Wakelin says the Tshwane council has approved a building programme which aims to drive inner city regeneration by tackling derelict and illegally occupied buildings while providing affordable housing to residents and students.
Wakelin says any building hijacking syndicates will be prosecuted.
“This programme is based on lessons learnt from other cities like Johannesburg and the like. We will be taking a proactive approach to tackle derelict buildings either by forcing the sale of the properties through the courts or legal expropriation. Any building hijacking syndicates or criminal will be identified, removed and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
