A high-impact service delivery operation in the Johannesburg CBD was partially suspended after the owners of Marble Towers successfully challenged the city’s demolition plans in court.
Image: Supplied: City Power
The City of Johannesburg has confirmed that the demolition of illegal structures at Marble Towers in the CBD has been halted following an urgent court interdict obtained by the building’s owners.
This comes as the city has intensified its efforts to demolish illegal structures in the inner city as part of a broader law enforcement and service delivery operation.
Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero, alongside Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs) and city officials, is what the city described as a high-impact service delivery operation on Tuesday in Small Street and at Marble Towers in the Johannesburg CBD.
The operation follows a similar intervention led by Morero last week, during which the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) enforced bylaws in the CBD by removing illegal traders and demolishing illegally constructed structures, including shacks.
Tuesday’s operation began at Marble Towers, one of the city’s tallest buildings, where several bylaw violations were identified.
Morero said the building owed the city millions in unpaid municipal services.
“We have established that the building owes us R14 million in water, electricity, rates and taxes. So, we are acting. We have already cut off the water meter and are also disconnecting electricity to force the building to comply and pay,” he said.
Morero also raised concerns about ongoing non-compliance with building regulations.
“Over and above that are issues around compliance and building regulations. On our assessment, we have confirmed that structures built there are illegal. However, the owners were able to approach the court and the judge last night requested that we give them an opportunity to present their case at 10am,” he told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika.
Morero said the city would continue with its operations once the matter had been heard in court.
City of Johannesburg Group Legal representative Segala Malahlela confirmed the city was responding to an urgent court application brought by the building’s owners.
“We made an undertaking with the judge not to demolish anything, but to continue with our other law enforcement work. We will be in court again at around 10am to argue the matter,” he said at the site.
“They do not want us to remove the containers and shacks in and around Marble Towers and the High Court precinct, but the city’s view is that this illegality and unlawfulness must stop immediately,” he said.
The matter is expected to be heard in the Johannesburg High Court.
Meanwhile, Morero’s spokesperson, Khathutshelo Mulaudzi, said the operation formed part of ongoing efforts to restore law and order, improve public safety and reclaim public spaces.
“The operation forms part of the city’s broader programme to tackle bylaw infringements, illegal trading, unsafe and hijacked buildings, illegal signage, waste management challenges and deteriorating infrastructure in the inner city.”
“Through this intervention, the city aims to ensure safer, cleaner and more accessible public spaces for residents, businesses, commuters and visitors,” she added.
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