Inside Carletonville’s Hijacked Buildings Crisis As Minister Promises Action

What was once a functioning police station in Carletonville now stands as a stark symbol of neglect. Broken windows, overgrown grass and piles of waste have replaced what should have been a secure public facility.

On Friday, Dean Macpherson walked through the site himself, confronting the reality of what has become a long-standing issue in parts of South Africa: hijacked state-owned buildings.

But this visit was not just about seeing the damage. It was about sending a warning.

A Building Left To Fall Apart

The structure, once used as a police station, has reportedly been in decline for close to two decades. Today, it is occupied by illegal residents, with little sign of maintenance or oversight.

Surrounding it are seven more properties owned by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, all facing similar fates.

The conditions paint a worrying picture. Open manholes pose safety risks. Waste has accumulated. The grounds are unkempt. For many locals, it reflects a broader pattern where state-owned infrastructure is slowly slipping out of government control.

Allegations Of Inside Help

Perhaps the most troubling part of the situation is not just the occupation itself, but how it may have happened.

Macpherson revealed that he had been informed of possible collusion between departmental officials and those accused of hijacking the buildings. According to him, some of the surrounding properties are being rented out by illegal landlords, raising serious questions about how these operations are sustained.

He has now instructed that a report be compiled urgently, naming individuals suspected of being involved.

Importantly, the minister has committed to making this report public, a move that signals an attempt at transparency in a space often criticised for secrecy and slow accountability.

A Wider Problem Beyond Carletonville

While this case is unfolding in Carletonville, the issue itself is far from isolated. Across South Africa, hijacked buildings have become a growing concern, particularly in urban centres like Johannesburg where abandoned or poorly managed properties are often taken over.

These buildings frequently become overcrowded and unsafe, while also creating parallel systems where illegal landlords collect rent from vulnerable tenants.

The Carletonville case adds another layer to the conversation. It suggests that the problem may not only be about enforcement failures, but also about possible internal breakdowns within departments meant to safeguard public assets.

What Happens Next

For now, all eyes are on the promised report and what action will follow.

Macpherson has made it clear that if officials are found to have played a role in enabling the situation, consequences will follow. Whether that translates into real accountability remains to be seen.

What is certain is that the situation in Carletonville has once again put the spotlight on how public infrastructure is managed, and what happens when oversight slips for years at a time.

{Source:EWN}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com