CoJ draws link between private sector, high rental prices and hijacked buildings
The city claims there are close to 200 hijacked and bad buildings within the inner city.
The commission of inquiry into the Usindiso blaze inspeced five buildings suspected of being hijacked in central Johannesburg on 3 July 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The City of Johannesburg has cast the blame on the private sector for exorbitant rental prices, resulting in buildings being hijacked.
The city claims there are close to 200 hijacked and bad buildings within the inner city.
Eyewitness News understands that there is a waiting list of 10,000 people who require temporary emergency accommodation within the inner city.
Human Settlements executive director at the City of Johannesburg, Patrick Phophi, said the private sector must do more.
"It’s an estimated number, it says 10,000 evictees – who’s evicting them? The private sector. Why don’t we work with the private sector to stop them from evicting? Let's build a module that accommodates those people because once they’re on the street, it becomes government’s problem."
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