Overview
- Public Safety MMC Mgcini Tshwaku says the city plans to engage tenants in hijacked buildings to assess who can pay rent instead of pursuing immediate evictions.
- Tshwaku acknowledges that finding alternative accommodation is the core hurdle, warning it could take decades and noting that ownership of many properties is unclear.
- A recent city raid on a hijacked CBD building uncovered an illegal butchery, poultry farming and chemical production operating inside.
- ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba condemns talks with occupants as negotiating with criminals, while the ANC counters that a balanced approach is needed and criticises his past record.
- The DA argues the metro lacks constitutionally required temporary emergency housing and blames the Joburg Property Company for neglect that enabled unlawful occupations.