NGOs Under Fire Amidst Johannesburg’s Building Hijacking Crisis

NGOs are blamed for the hijacked buildings in Johannesburg. The issue of building hijackings in Johannesburg’s inner city has become a complex problem, exacerbated by a 2011 Constitutional Court ruling that upholds the human rights of marginalised individuals. As per EWN, non-profit organisations like the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (Seri) have played a significant role in advocating for the rights of illegal occupants, making it challenging for private property owners and investors to reclaim these unlawfully occupied properties.

According to insiders with extensive experience in addressing building hijackings, Seri’s actions inadvertently allowed subpar buildings in the inner city to continue operating. These buildings often house hundreds of thousands of people in inhumane conditions. At the same time, hijackers collect substantial sums in rental income throughout the year.

Also read: City Power to Resume Disconnecting Illegal Connections in Hijacked Buildings

Critics argue that Seri’s focus on protecting the rights of illegal occupants sometimes hinders efforts to address the dire living conditions in these buildings. However, Seri defends its stance, stating that it is working to compel the city to provide temporary emergency accommodation for these vulnerable individuals.

Edward Molopi of Seri explained, “We are not making that choice for people. People come to us and they tell us ‘they are going to throw us out on the street and we would like to have an alternative.’” Seri claims to represent thousands of illegal occupants, mostly South African citizens and some undocumented foreign nationals.

As the debate continues, the challenge of building hijackings in Johannesburg remains a pressing concern with no simple solutions.

Also read:

Government Vows to Put an End to Hijacked Buildings

Picture: X / KarenELotter

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