High court declares City's demolitions in Alex illegal

THE Johannesburg High Court has delivered a sharp rebuke to the City of Johannesburg and City Power, imposing a cost order after ruling that the recent demolitions in Alexandra were carried out unlawfully.

- MASABATA MKWANANZI [e-mail]

The ruling comes in the wake of demolitions that took place in August and left several families homeless near the intersection of Far East Bank Drive and Shibobo Drive in Alexandra, where homes had been erected close to City Power's electricity servitudes.

The 27 affected residents have been living in the area since 2017, when they established their homes and communities over the years.

The court ruled that residents must be immediately returned to the peaceful and uninterrupted enjoyment of their homes.

Any materials destroyed during the demolitions must be replaced with habitable alternatives.