Fires from recycling activities, recycling of materials, and a rat infestation are some of the glaring issues emanating from an alleged hijacked property at 21 Jauncey Street, as highlighted by Highlands North residents.

Ward 74 councillor Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku met with a journalist on May 18 outside the locked property, where makeshift dwellings could be seen through a gate’s peephole.

“Following complaints received from residents, I conducted an oversight visit to 21 Jauncey Street regarding concerns that the property may be hijacked and contributing to safety and environmental challenges in the area,” said Kayser-Echeozonjoku.

Read more: Rosebank robbery suspects arrested: Stolen property recovered

Resident Tracy Langlois alleged that the property had been hijacked for several years. “I can confirm that this property is not being attended to, and there is an absolute lack of visibility of law enforcement in the community. The area is seeing a degeneration,” she said.

Kayser-Echeozonjoku noted that she will escalate the matter by submitting formal council questions at the June council meeting to establish:

• Whether the property is classified as hijacked
• What interventions has the city undertaken to address residents’ concerns
• What assistance is being provided to lawful owners, where applicable
• Why have enforcement and environmental health measures not adequately addressed properties where hijacking has not been confirmed

Resident Jack Mujakachi raised urgent concerns about activities on the property.

“Our major concern is the fires they burn in the yard, because they burn materials and metals. Another concerning question we have is where do the informal settlers relieve themselves, because there are no ablution facilities or structures for ablution, which speaks to the contravention of the city’s by-laws.”

Also read: City of Johannesburg awaits an eviction notice to act accordingly regarding a problematic Bramley property

The publication reached out to the City of Johannesburg on May 18 with questions about 21 Jauncey Street. The city did not respond directly but issued a general statement on hijacked properties on June 6.

City of Johannesburg spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane confirmed that as of February this year, the city is intensifying its focus on dismantling organised criminal syndicates driving building hijackings.

“Efforts have shifted from general raids to targeted multi-agency operations involving South African Police Services and the Department of Home Affairs to profile occupants and address illegal utility connections,” said Modingoane.

COJ’s key statistics and recent actions:

• Total identified buildings: 200 hijacked buildings in the inner city; audits suggest 300–500 derelict or partially hijacked properties.
• Court orders: More than 10 declaratory court orders secured to condemn dilapidated buildings. The city must demonstrate the provision of alternative accommodation before evacuation orders are granted.
• Arrests and raids: Operations in late 2025 and early 2026 led to numerous arrests for hijacking, drug possession, and immigration violations. A June 2024 raid resulted in 113 arrests across eight buildings.
• Service disconnections: The High Point building in Hillbrow, owing R23m in services, was hit with level 2 disconnections as a warning to illegal occupants.

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Major challenges:

• Constitutional obligations: The city must provide temporary emergency accommodation for evictees, but lacks sufficient budget and space
• Internal corruption: Allegations of collusion and ‘tips-offs’ where officials alert illegal operators before raids
• Syndicate influence: Mayor Dada Morero warned that redeveloped buildings risk re-hijacking if criminal networks remain intact
  Future initiatives:
• Expropriation strategy: Plans to expropriate abandoned buildings and those with massive unpaid rates, converting them into low-cost housing or trading spaces
• Occupant profiling: Ongoing operations to collect data on residents’ employment and legal status, coordinating relocation with rightful owners.

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