Joburg to expropriate property for Usindiso redevelopment

THE City of Johannesburg could use the recently promulgated Expropriation Act to wrestle control of two privately owned properties surrounding the Usindiso Building and build good quality affordable rental housing units.

- LOYISO SIDIMBA

The Usindiso Building was gutted by fire in August 2023, and 76 people died in the blaze.

At the council meeting on Wednesday, plans by the municipality’s entity, Johannesburg Property Company (JPC), to redevelop the building were tabled.

According to the City of Joburg, JPC will acquire seven erven in support of the regeneration of the Usindiso block, which is bounded by Albert, De Villiers, Melrose, and Polly streets in Marshallstown, in the Johannesburg central business district.

“The City has identified the recently burnt structure it owns and another invaded residential building with shops on the ground floor that the municipality also owns.

“The two privately owned properties include a vacant warehouse type structure and a dilapidated structure used as a panel beating facility. In total, the area is about 6 596 square metres, and the City owns 62.3% while the remaining 37.7% is privately owned.