The City of Johannesburg has announced it will lay criminal charges against individuals accused of acting as landlords at an illegally occupied informal settlement in Paulshof, north of the city.
The move follows an oversight visit by the city’s Human Settlements Department to the Ginger Park informal settlement on Sunday. During the visit, officials engaged residents and identified individuals alleged to be profiting from the unlawful occupation of the land.
Human Settlements MMC Mlungisi Mabaso said the city is intensifying efforts to dismantle illegal land occupations by targeting those who exploit vulnerable residents through unlawful rent collection.
According to the city, the Johannesburg High Court has already ruled that occupants at the settlement must be removed and relocated to alternative accommodation provided by the municipality.
The settlement is situated on land owned partly by the Gauteng provincial government and partly by a private landowner. Mabaso described the area as unsuitable for human habitation, citing poor environmental conditions and health risks.
He further warned that property hijacking and charging rent on illegally occupied land constitute criminal offences.
“People are living there, accessing government services for free, yet others are collecting rent from them. That is unacceptable and criminal,” Mabaso said.
The city confirmed that residents will be relocated in line with the court order, while investigations continue into those alleged to be running illegal landlord operations.
Mabaso added that the visit to Ginger Park forms part of Johannesburg’s broader campaign to restore law and order, improve living conditions, and create a cleaner and safer city.
Joburg News will continue to follow developments as the relocation process and criminal investigations unfold.