Tshwane approves plan to tackle hijacked buildings in CBD
The City of Tshwane on Thursday approved a plan to tackle illegally occupied buildings during the council meeting.
Part of the plan includes providing affordable and well-located housing to residents and students.
MMC for Corporate and Shared Services in Tshwane Kingsley Wakelin said the plan is based on lessons learnt from similar attempts, such as Johannesburg, where there has been a marked decline in the CBD.
"Negligent property owners, slumlords, and building hijacking syndicates have taken advantage of people who are desperate for affordable and well-located accommodation, leading to the illegal occupation of buildings that leads to urban decay and poses a direct threat to human lives," said Wakelin.
"Here at home, the City of Tshwane will be taking a proactive approach to tackle derelict buildings, either by forcing the sale of the property through the courts or expropriation.
"Any instances of illegal occupation will be swiftly dealt with by following due process within the boundaries of the law.”
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