Shop owners looked on as the City of Johannesburg tore down illegally constructed shops along Small Street during a major inner-city enforcement operation on Tuesday.
The coordinated raid brought together several municipal departments, including the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), City Power, and officials from Economic Development and Community Development.
Among the structures earmarked for demolition were a number of stalls attached to the historic Central Methodist Church. City officials said the structures had been erected without authorisation.
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MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services Sithembiso Zungu said some of the shops were also linked to illegal electricity connections.
Several traders attempted to stop the demolitions, arguing they had not received prior notice from the city. During inspections, officials discovered steel components used to build trading stalls hidden inside the seemingly abandoned church building.
“Yesterday the pastor came and told us the church belongs to them; there’s a lot happening here. But we want to try and verify if they are paying us truly. Some of the shops here by the church we are going to demolish because they are not part of the structure.”
Johannesburg Targets Illegal Structures And Power Connections
The operation was led by Zungu alongside Dada Morero as part of the city’s broader effort to restore order in the Johannesburg CBD.
Officials said the campaign is focused on removing unauthorised buildings, tackling illegal electricity connections and addressing by-law violations in the inner city.
City Raises Immigration Concerns During Small Street Raid
Zungu said many of the businesses affected are run by foreign nationals and alleged that some employ undocumented workers.
“These shops are owned by foreign nationals and they still employ illegal foreign nationals, so we need immigration to be part of this campaign.”
Most shops along Small Street remained closed for much of the day as the city continued with its cleanup operation in the Johannesburg city centre.
