Zuko Komisa

- The City of Johannesburg has demolished illegal trading structures outside the landmark Marble Towers building in the CBD following a High Court order.
- Executed under the supervision of Mayor Dada Morero, the operation targeted shops operating without approved town-planning documents or compliance certificates.
- Whilst devastated tenants scrambled to salvage their stock, law enforcement arrested one shop owner for allegedly assaulting police officers during the demolition.
The City of Johannesburg has demolished several illegal trading structures outside the landmark Marble Towers building in the Central Business District (CBD).
Executed in accordance with a Johannesburg High Court order, the municipal operation was launched due to severe safety non-compliance and a total lack of approved town-planning documentation.
Executive Mayor Dada Morero and senior city officials personally oversaw the demolition, which caught many informal traders completely off-guard.
Shop owners scrambled to salvage their stock from the rubble, claiming the building’s landlord failed to pass on the eviction notices.
Several affected traders revealed they had been paying up to R8,000 a month in rent and now fear their livelihoods have been permanently destroyed.
The tense operation also saw clashes with law enforcement, resulting in the arrest of one shop owner who allegedly assaulted police officers on-site.
Highlighting the city’s stance on municipal regulations, the Office of the Executive Mayor confirmed the legal basis for the intervention:
“The City of Johannesburg demolished illegal trading structures outside Marble Towers due to non-compliance and lack of approved town-planning documents, in line with a Johannesburg High Court order.”
The City of Johannesburg has demolished illegal trading structures outside Marble Towers in the CBD following a court process over non-compliance and the absence of approved town-planning documents.
— Kaya News (@KayaNews) July 15, 2026
Mayor Dada Morero and City officials oversaw the operation, while tenants rushed… pic.twitter.com/iXaGBSgnPD
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