Shop owners in Johannesburg’s inner city watched as several informal structures were demolished during a large-scale multi-departmental operation on Small Street.
The operation involved multiple City of Johannesburg entities, including the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, City Power, and officials from the city’s Economic Development and Community Development departments.
Several structures targeted during the operation were reportedly attached to the historic Central Methodist Church, which city officials said had been constructed illegally.
Sithembiso Zungu, the MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services, said investigations revealed that some of the structures had illegal electricity connections linked to the city’s power network.
During the operation, officials reportedly discovered steel materials used for the construction of trading stalls hidden inside parts of the church premises that appeared abandoned.
Some shop owners attempted to negotiate with city officials, arguing that they had not received prior notice before the demolitions began. Others rushed to remove stock and belongings before their structures were torn down.
Zungu said the city was still attempting to verify certain ownership and compliance issues linked to the structures around the church property.
He added that some of the shops attached to the church would be demolished because they did not form part of the approved building structure.
The operation was led by Zungu alongside Dada Morero as part of the city’s ongoing inner-city enforcement and cleanup campaign.
Zungu also alleged that several businesses operating in the area were owned by foreign nationals and claimed some were employing undocumented immigrants.
He said immigration authorities would need to be included in future operations connected to the campaign.
Most businesses along Small Street remained closed for much of the day while demolition work and inspections continued.
The city says the operation forms part of broader efforts to address illegal structures, by-law violations, unsafe trading conditions, and unlawful utility connections in Johannesburg’s inner city.
Facebook Comments