The fight against illegally occupied, hijacked and abandoned buildings gained further momentum in Mogale City today as national, provincial and local government joined forces to reclaim state-owned properties and accelerate efforts to restore neglected urban spaces.
The visit comes at a significant time for Mogale City, which recently opened its Draft Problem Buildings By-law for public comment. The proposed legislation seeks to provide the municipality with stronger legal mechanisms to identify, regulate and rehabilitate abandoned, hijacked and illegally occupied properties while improving public safety, protecting municipal infrastructure and supporting inner-city revitalisation.
During Operation Bring Back, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development, Jacob Mamabolo, and Mogale City Mayor, Lucky Sele visited residential properties in Frederick Cooper, Kenmare, as well as the former police station building in Lewisham, where they conducted inspections and engaged occupants on the eviction process.
The inspections revealed that most occupants are not paying occupational rent, have accumulated substantial municipal debt, and do not have valid lease agreements in place. Illegal occupants have been issued with a 30-day notice to vacate the properties as government moves swiftly to safeguard and ensure the responsible use of state-owned assets.
Beyond reclaiming unlawfully occupied properties, the broader objective is to restore and repurpose these buildings, so they once again contribute to safer communities, economic activity and urban renewal.
Deputy Minister Zikalala emphasised that this is a nationwide operation aimed at ensuring that government-owned properties are protected and utilised to create value for the state and its citizens.
Together with the Draft Problem Buildings By-law, initiatives such as Operation Bring Back signal a coordinated approach to reversing urban decay, restoring public assets and creating safer, more investable communities across Mogale City.