Joburg Councillor Among 23 People Arrested For Hijacking Building In CBD
One of the 23 people arrested for hijacking a building is a City of Johannesburg councillor. On Wednesday, Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) raided for illegal occupants of a municipal property.
Mlimandlela Ndamase, a spokesperson for Gwamanda, said the municipality purchased the building for R40 million in 2019 to use as a pound for the JMPD. The building, however, has been occupied by a group that has begun construction work.
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The raid is the result of the City’s hunt for alternate accommodation for residents of the Marshalltown building, which was destroyed in last week’s fire that killed more than 70 people.
The hijacked building had been designated by the city as alternative housing for homeless individuals. According to Ndamase, authorities apprehended 23 persons and were investigating the alleged involvement of a SAPS officer.
Gwamanda expressed his disappointment in the involvement of a councillor in the criminal activity.
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“Today’s operation has resulted in the arrest of 23 suspects, among them a councillor of the City. The suspects face charges of malicious damage to property and City infrastructure, theft and vandalism,” he said.
The officials also confiscated a construction vehicle and building equipment.
