Municipalities across South Africa are grappling with the growing challenge of hijacked, abandoned, poorly maintained and illegally occupied buildings. Mogale City is no exception and is taking decisive steps to address the issue.
Over the years, many businesses and property owners have either abandoned or relocated from the Central Business District (CBD), leaving behind vacant properties that are often taken over by criminal syndicates. These buildings are frequently linked to illegal utility connections, exploitation of vulnerable residents, declining public safety and significant financial losses for the municipality. The problem also hampers efforts to revitalise the CBD and attract investment.
To address these challenges, Mogale City has opened public comment on its Draft Problem Buildings By-law. The proposed legislation aims to identify, regulate and rehabilitate neglected, unsafe and illegally occupied buildings across the municipality.
The by-law provides the municipality with the legal mechanisms to intervene where buildings are abandoned, overcrowded, poorly maintained or occupied unlawfully. It also applies to properties that pose health, safety or environmental risks, contribute to urban decay, or are associated with criminal activity and illegal service connections.
Importantly, the scope of the by-law extends beyond structurally unsafe buildings to include properties with unsanitary living conditions or those that negatively impact surrounding communities. As such it will empower the municipality to investigate and inspect properties, assess compliance and formally determine whether a property qualifies as a problem building.
While enforcement is a key component, the long-term objective is revitalisation of the inner city and affected properties beyond. The by-law thus seeks to improve safety in CBDs and older neighbourhoods, support economic development and encourage investment in impacted areas.
Residents occupying affected buildings will not be left behind. The municipality has committed to an integrated, case-by-case approach that complies with applicable legislation, including the Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act (PIE) and, where relevant, the Extension of Security of Tenure Act (ESTA). Engagement with occupants and information on available support measures will form part of the process.
To drive implementation, the municipality has established an Abandoned Buildings/Problem Buildings Task Team comprising senior management, legal services, community development services and human settlements officials. A Cooperative Agreement has also been signed with SAPS and relevant provincial safety departments to strengthen efforts to address hijacked and abandoned buildings.
The draft by-law is available on the municipal here, and residents and stakeholders are encouraged to submit comments via email to creswell.basson@mogalecity.gov.za. Closing date for comments is 22 June 2026.