One year after the Usindiso building fire, Joburg still grappling with hijacked buildings

JOHANNESBURG - Saturday marks the anniversary of the deaths of over 70 people who perished when the illegally occupied Usindiso building caught fire in Johannesburg. 

The tragic incident has since shed the spotlight on the hijacking of buildings in the CBD with thousands of people living in appalling conditions. 

The City of Joburg previously confirmed there are 188 hijacked buildings in the metro, with at least 14 of them belonging to the State and the rest being under private ownership. 

Joburg Mayor Dada Morero said that the city does not have enough capacity to deal with the illegal occupation of buildings on its own. 

READ: uSindiso building was infiltrated by gangsters who controlled everything, inquiry told

"It is also important to note that the challenges of the inner city are much bigger than we thought, and in fact, we require as many partnerships as possible, including provincial government. So, there are other options we are now looking at." 

Before the city can evict occupants from hijacked buildings in the CBD, the law mandates that it first secure alternative accommodation.

Additionally, the city must obtain a court order granting permission to evict residents from illegally occupied properties.

ALSO READ: Joburg CBD building fire commission of inquiry set for late October