The appeal follows complaints from residents in Rosettenville, who say criminal activity has spiked due to the proliferation of illegally occupied buildings. Some residents allege that legitimate property owners are being forcefully removed by criminal syndicates.

Operation Dudula President, Zandile Dabula, argues that these hijacked properties pose a significant financial risk to the city due to widespread illegal electricity and water connections.

“We’ve engaged with the mayor’s office, the Johannesburg Property Company, and the housing department,” said Dabula. “Many of these buildings are owned by the city. We’ve long recommended they be converted into RDP housing. People have been waiting for RDP homes since 1996. If repurposed, the government can properly monitor residents and collect service payments, even at a flat rate.”

The group believes that reclaiming and repurposing these buildings could help reduce crime, address the housing backlog, and restore order to Johannesburg’s inner city.

--ChannelAfrica--