The City’s crime prevention operation to four hijacked and bad properties has led to the arrest of 31 people in the Inner City.
The properties that were targeted during the operation include Miltherd Court, 211 and 213 Commissioner Street and 1168 City and Surbarban in the Inner City.
The operation was led by the City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Services Unit in conjunction with the South African Police Service (SAPS), Department of Home Affairs, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Emergency Management Services (EMS) and the City’s Environmental Health, Citizen Relationship and Urban Management and Social Development departments.
A total of 30 undocumented foreign nationals were arrested. One suspect was arrested for illegal position of drugs.
The arrested suspects will be detained at the Johannesburg Central Police Station. They are expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court today.
Hijacked properties is one of the challenges we are faced with in the City but we are pleased with the strides we are making in addressing the challenge
On 06 December 2017, 43 year old building hijacking kingpin, Sinethemba Mkhumbuzi and his accomplice 58 year old Kenneth Ntila were sentenced to 8-years and 15-years imprisonment respectively for fraud relating to the hijacking of Angus Mansions in the Inner City.
11 hijacked properties have been handed back to their rightful owners and we have also arrested 3 property hijackers in the last three weeks. About 164 buildings are confirmed as hijacked in the City.
Following these arrests property hijackers are now contacting the City’s GFIS team volunteering to vacate the properties that they have hijacked.
The City will not leave any stone unturned when dealing with criminal activities within its area of jurisdiction and we will continue to intensify the raids at these bad and hijacked properties with the assistance of Saps and other law enforcement agencies.
Criminals must know that they might run but there is no place for them to hide in Johannesburg. It is essential that we bring back the rule of law in our City and take it back from the criminal elements such as landlords who take advantage of desperate people and house them under deplorable conditions.
We are committed to ensuring that we stop the rot in our inner city and make it a prosperous and inclusive place for our people to live work and play.
I would like to thank all the role players involved in yesterday’s successful operation, especially the SAPS for their continued support.