Illegal bus rank, unapproved commercial activity exposed in Joburg CBD

JOHANNESBURG - An illegal bus rank and unapproved commercial activity have been exposed in Johannesburg’s inner city at a city-owned building identified during a raid on hijacked properties by the Human Settlements Department.

On Kerk Street in Hillbrow, MMC Mlungisi Mabaso found a building belonging to Joshco used to store goods without the city's authorisation.

These unknown goods are delivered by buses that are not permitted to operate in the area.

While Mabaso conducted a count of illegal occupants in city-owned buildings, he stumbled upon the unauthorised bus rank.

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He said an eviction order has been granted, and illegal occupants can expect to be removed soon.

Mabaso added that beyond the 11 hijacked buildings identified, the city is struggling to house around 19,000 people who need alternative accommodation, which is much-needed.

However, he’s committed to reclaiming the building on Kerk Street.

“We’ve got buses operating there. So in a way, Joshco is running an illegal rank in the inner city, which goes against our own bylaws. We’re going to deal with that.”

A resident from the building said the illegal bus rank has caused heavy traffic and turned the area into a crime hotspot.