Ekurhuleni Mayor vows to reclaim hijacked buildings despite public backlash

The City of Ekurhuleni Municipality has vowed to intensify its crackdown on hijacked buildings within the metro, standing firm on its decision despite growing public discontent.

Over the past several weeks, the city has collaborated with the Red Ants to execute evictions at various properties that the municipality owns. 

These operations have often been met with resistance. In August last year, former residents of Germiston’s Faro Park set fire to a Home Affairs building to express their frustration after eviction.

Speaking at a media briefing in Germiston on Friday, Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza explained that the municipality’s housing company is suffering significant financial losses due to illegal occupations.

The mayor emphasised that reclaiming hijacked buildings is vital for the broader economic health of the city and for encouraging private investment.

“We are now encouraging [the housing company] to approach the courts and get more court orders," Xhakaza stated.

"It’s important that we do this in Germiston because if municipal-owned properties are hijacked in Germiston, then there is no hope for the private sector. There is no hope for us to turn around the situation in our CBDs.”

The municipality maintains that these enforcement actions are a necessary step in restoring order and ensuring that public resources are managed effectively.