Joburg’s Abandoned Metro Centre Falls Into Further Decay

The City of Johannesburg’s Metro Centre in Braamfontein has fallen into further disrepair, with broken windows, abandoned files, and costly leased office equipment left behind as officials scramble for alternative office space.

The 50-year-old building, once the headquarters of city governance, has been declared uninhabitable due to multiple violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act. However, instead of securing the premises, squatters have since invaded the space, highlighting broader concerns over neglected city infrastructure and mismanagement.

A Picture of Neglect: Squatter Invasions and Abandoned Offices

When The Citizen visited the Metro Centre, they were turned away by security guards stationed at the site after homeless squatters took over the building weeks ago. Surrounding streets are marked by broken paving, smashed windows, and overall decay, painting a bleak picture of Johannesburg’s declining infrastructure.

Mark Heywood, a steering committee member of the Johannesburg Crisis Alliance, has slammed the city’s handling of the situation.

“Since the closure, Joburg officials have been scattered across different buildings citywide, paying exorbitant rents while becoming less accessible to the public. Essential documentation and furniture remain inside the Metro Centre. It’s sheer recklessness.”

R3.2 Billion Refurbishment Plan Amid Governance Failures

Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero announced this week that the Metro Centre will undergo an extensive R3.2 billion refurbishment through a public-private partnership. However, critics argue that the city’s failure to secure and maintain the building has caused unnecessary costs to spiral out of control.

Julia Fish, regional manager of JoburgCAN, highlighted the financial impact of the Metro Centre’s decline:

• R500,000 in lost revenue from halted building plan sales

• R1.2 million in lost geo-information services sales

“The cost of fixing the Metro Centre has now ballooned beyond what it would cost to construct a new building. Residents need to ask whether this is by design.”

Taxpayers Foot the Bill for Abandoned Office Equipment

Despite moving city staff into rented offices, the City of Johannesburg continues to pay for leased office equipment, including copiers left behind at the Metro Centre.

ActionSA has condemned the situation, calling it a “disgraceful failure of governance and resource management.”

The Future of Joburg’s Infrastructure

As Johannesburg’s infrastructure continues to deteriorate, civic activists warn that without urgent intervention, the city faces a significant economic decline.

Do you think the Metro Centre should be refurbished or replaced?