Three women were arrested in connection with property hijacking in Bellevue East on August 31.
The arrest follows a sting operation led by the City of Joburg’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS) department and the SAPS.
CoJ executive mayor Clr Herman Mashaba alleged that the suspects, who were tenants, hijacked the property from the owner in May 2008.
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“They reneged from their obligation of paying monthly rental to the owner and subsequently sublet the property to unsuspecting individuals. They were unlawfully collecting monthly rent from the subtenants without the consent of the owner. The owner was also denied access to his property,” he said.
Mashaba said the owner approached GFIS which worked together with SAPS Johannesburg East Cluster in investigating the matter.
“This brings the total number of properties handed back to rightful owners to 29,” he said.
