City officials demolish an illegal structure encroaching on public infrastructure
Regional director Makgafela Thaba says the city will intensify its crackdown on unlawfully built structures encroaching on public infrastructure, as officials ramp up their fight against non-compliance in Alexandra.
Months after the owner of a structure at the intersection of 12th Avenue and Alfred Nzo Street was served with a notice and advised to demolish the illegally built construction on the pavement, the City of Johannesburg has decided to take matters into its own hands.
Regional director Makgafela Thaba, alongside the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), led the demolition of the structure, citing its non-compliance.
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Thaba explained that the city had issued a notice last year instructing the owner to cease operations and demolish the illegal construction, but the order was ignored.
In earlier conversations with city officials, Thaba said the owner defended the structure by claiming that everyone in the area has done it. Thaba, however, emphasised that widespread violations of by-laws do not justify further unlawful actions. “Wrongs do not make a right,” he said.
“We did all that is supposed to be done in terms of serving notices, and we are now undertaking the necessary exercise of demolition,” Thaba added.
He stressed that the building was unsafe, encroached on the pavement, and obstructed essential infrastructure.
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“They have even enclosed the bus stop where our children are supposed to take buses. They also blocked off City Power infrastructure,” he noted.
Thaba emphasised the city’s firm stance against unlawful construction, noting that it will not tolerate non-compliance. “Compliance in the City of Johannesburg is now non-negotiable. We can see the number of structures encroaching on Alexandra’s pavements; the pavements in Alex are gone.”
While the JMPD targeted a single structure in this operation, Thaba made it clear that the city will intensify similar actions in Alexandra. “I have instructed the team to facilitate the legal process for a full demolition of this space. For now, we are demolishing the top structures that were illegally constructed.”
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