Joburg begins demolishing inner city shacks used for illegal activities

The City of Johannesburg’s Human Settlements Department, joined by law enforcement officers, is currently demolishing illegal structures in the Denver informal settlement in the inner city.

The MMC for Human Settlements, Mlungisi Mabaso, stated that the homes being removed are unoccupied and were found to be safe havens for illegal activities.

Many residents emerged from their homes to watch the teams, dressed in neon green reflective gear and blue overalls, knock down the structures. Some confrontations occurred between residents and people attempting to physically stop the men from breaking down the shacks.

However, Mabaso said the city was left with no choice.

“Majority of the shacks here are being used for illegal mining,” Mabaso explained on Wednesday.

“And all these shacks, they’ve got holes inside, which is a demonstration that they are being used for illegal mining.”

Ten homes have been taken down so far, with demolitions set to continue into the afternoon.