JOHANNESBURG - The man believed to have been responsible for the hijacking Bryanston mansion has been arrested.
The arrest comes after the City of Johannesburg conducted a follow-up compliance verification at a Bryanston property that is being unlawfully occupied.
The suspect is known as Lawrence.
This is not the first time authorities have paid a visit to the property.
During a previous inspection, officials discovered 23 illegally erected log homes on the site.
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A compliance notice was issued at the time, ordering that the structures be demolished.
Law enforcement agencies also arrested undocumented foreign nationals and disconnected illegal water and electricity connections.
However, despite these interventions, the property remains occupied.
City Manager Floyd Brink says he spoke to a man identified by tenants as the individual collecting rent from them.
According to Brink, this has led officials to believe that the man is the hijacker of the property.
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To date, authorities have established that the property is privately owned by a divorced couple.
Brink says the city has managed to trace one of the owners, who is currently in the hospital, who revealed to them that she was unaware of the situation and confirmed that the property has been hijacked.
In cases such as this, where the rightful owners cannot immediately take control of their property, Brink says the city’s last resort is to disconnect water and electricity services.
He adds that officials will also close off the property.