Mashaba welcomes the arrest of Bezuidenhout property hijackers
BEZUIDENHOUT VALLEY – The alleged property hijackers have collected R390 000 in rent since 2013.
Two alleged property hijackers are expected to appear in the Jeppestown Magistrates’ Court today, 20 July following their arrests by law enforcement agencies in Johannesburg.
Two siblings, a brother and a sister, were arrested in Bezuidenhout Valley during a sting operation by the Metro police, the South African Police Service and the City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS) department.
They will be charged for contravening Section 3(1) of the Pie Act, contempt of court, trespassing and housebreaking and more charges are likely to be added.
It is alleged that the two suspects hijacked the property in May 2013 and have not been paying rent, since then.
Instead, the two have allegedly been subletting the property and have collected about R390 000 in monthly rentals without permission from the owner.
Jeppe Police Station spokesperson, Captain Richard Munyayi, confirmed the arrest of a woman and a man but said they have been charged with trespassing.
“According to our report, a 40-year-old woman and her male accomplice – whose age is not yet known – were arrested. The two have been charged for trespassing only,” said Munyayi.
He then referred all queries to the Metro police and the City saying the police don’t have much information about the case.
According to the City, about 300 buildings are confirmed as being hijacked with about 20 property hijackers arrested.
Mayor Herman Mashaba has welcomed the arrests and further warns property hijackers and said their luck is running out. “We are slowly winning the fight against property hijacking in the city and criminals must know that they might run but there is no place for them to hide in Johannesburg.
“We will continue to intensify the raids at these bad and hijacked properties with the assistance of the police and other law enforcement agencies.”
When contacted, spokesperson for the Metro police, Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar could not comment on the matter due to a lack of information.
Details: Wayne Minnaar 082 559 3882.
