The City of Johannesburg has launched a major operation to demolish illegal foreign-owned shops and trading structures on Small Street in the Johannesburg CBD as part of efforts to enforce municipal by-laws and restore order in the inner city.
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero led the operation alongside municipal entities and law enforcement officials.
According to the City, several shop owners fled the scene after allegedly failing to produce documentation proving the legality of their structures.
“We are here today with MMCs, JMPD, Joburg Water, JPC and JRA and are demolishing all these illegal structures that are here. We are dealing with bylaw enforcement to ensure compliance with the bylaws. As we said, we are going to be dealing with lawlessness in Joburg,” said Morero.
The demolition operation forms part of the City’s broader campaign to clamp down on illegal activities, unauthorized trading and unsafe structures in the Johannesburg CBD.
Officials said the initiative is also aimed at improving environmental health standards, public safety and ensuring compliance with municipal regulations.
The operation caused scenes of chaos on Small Street as traders scrambled to remove goods while demolition teams moved in to dismantle structures built without approval.
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