Ramaphosa: Expropriation Act must be used to reclaim hijacked buildings in Joburg CBD
He says the buildings can be used to house people in a dignified manner or be used to attract investment to the city.
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the City of Joburg Metro Council on 7 March 2025. Picture: @GautengProvince/X
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the Expropriation Act must be used to restore and reclaim the many hijacked buildings in Johannesburg's CBD.
He said that the buildings could be used to house people in a dignified manner or be used to attract investment to the city.
He made the remarks at the city’s headquarters on Friday, where he was meeting its leaders to discuss service delivery issues.
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The Expropriation Act allows the expropriation of private property for a public purpose or in the public interest.
Ramaphosa said that if the City of Joburg could formulate a plan on how some of the illegally occupied buildings could be put to use, it would satisfy the condition to expropriate for public purpose.
"The law we’ve just passed, the expropriation even without compensation, they must be turned into living accommodation and it falls very wonderfully in the interpretation of our Constitution and the law itself and it would be for purpose, useful purpose for our people."
According to the City of Joburg’s website, there are more than 300 hijacked buildings in the metro.
One hundred and eighty of these buildings are said to be in the inner city.