The long-anticipated hearing of the second phase of the Khampepe Inquiry resumed last week, aiming to tackle Johannesburg’s building hijacking crisis. Initially convened to uncover the causes of the August 2023 blaze that killed 76 people, the inquiry has since expanded to address the conditions of hijacked buildings across Johannesburg and Gauteng province. This shift follows a comprehensive inspection conducted over September of 140 buildings suspected of being hijacked.
See the incredible transformation of Remington Heights into student accommodation by Take Shape Property. Located at the corner of Nugget St and Jeppe St, 2km from UJ New Doornfontein. LivinginSAtv has done an amazing job documenting the progress of taking the building from a hijacked building to a fully functioning residential and retail space. https://youtu.be/85hJY6hLf50?si=v5L3r-NkBWUv8Nm6
A recent fire at a building in Jeppestown has again brought to the fore the housing crisis in the inner city and the dangers of derelict buildings. JPOMA GM Angela Rivers, Solly Ramalamula owner of Take Shape Properties and Inner City Federation’s Siyabonga Mahlangu say the government is failing to provide housing, while the city is not prioritising the problem.
On the 26th of June, the City of Joburg hosted the Inner City Partnership Forum. Presentations were made by CoJ entities as well as the Private Sector. JPOMA General Manager, Angela Rivers, presented JPOMA’s work, highlighting the two court cases against CoJ and reiterating that JPOMA is very willing to work with CoJ on issues such as problem properties and the billing crisis.
The commission of inquiry into the Usindiso building fire found that the City of Johannesburg and the Johannesburg Property Company are partly responsible. Johannesburg Property Owners and Managers Association’s Angela Rivers says JPC should definitely be held accountable.
