JOHANNESBURG - Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has painted a grim picture of the City being plagued by criminality at its highest level.
Speaking on the sidelines after presenting his State of the City Address on Wednesday, Morero said the city is bleeding cash as a result of criminal activities by its own staff who are colluding with external business interests.
He made an example of buildings in the inner city.
READ |Urgent application to stop demolition of illegal structures at Marble Towers
This week, City officials alongside Morero embarked on a High-Impact Service Delivery Operation in Small Street, within the Johannesburg inner city.
The operation followed recent enforcement actions where the City demolished illegal structures unlawfully erected along Small Street.
READ | Joburg intensifies CBD cleanup with demolition of illegal structures
As the week progressed, more focus remained on reclaiming public spaces, checking safe structures, managing waste challenges, and tackling by-law infringements.
The City was adamant that by targeting deteriorating infrastructure and unsafe environments, it was restoring the inner city for businesses, residents, commuters, and visitors alike.
This operation follows recent enforcement actions where the City successfully demolished illegal structures unlawfully erected along Small Street. Today's focus remains on reclaiming public spaces, checking safe structures, managing waste challenges, and tackling by-law… pic.twitter.com/yzAId30MMG
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) May 19, 2026
During those operations, Morero said he found that some buildings owed the City; however, the system reflected as if someone was paying
" If you go to the entities, it indicates that it's owing."
This, he said, has raised a red flag.
"If they've got financial challenges, they must come and talk to us so that we can agree on an arrangement period so that we don't compromise our employees. We are also making a call to employees to desist from participating in such activities; otherwise, the law enforcement agencies will get to them, and we'll arrest them," he said.