Mayor Morero orders water and power cuts at Marble Towers over R14m bill

JMPD and immigration authorities apprehended five undocumented foreign nationals found in possession of fraudulent immigration documents during a compliance operation at a supermarket in the inner city. The arrests continue✊ pic.twitter.com/2VMucpoJVj

Executive Mayor: @CityofJoburgZA (@DadaMorero) May 19, 2026

What happened at Marble Towers

The mayor was on the ground on 19 May 2026 with more than 500 people including members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers, Home Affairs officials and municipal authorities for the operation at Marble Towers.

Morero said the building owes the city R14 million, covering water, electricity, rates and taxes. City teams have already cut off the building’s water meter and are disconnecting electricity to press the owners to pay.

Bylaw enforcement and illegal structures

The operation targeted a range of issues in the inner city, including reclaiming public spaces, checking structural safety, managing waste and addressing bylaw infringements. Morero said municipal assessments had found structures built on the property that the city considers illegal.

The enforcement follows recent municipal action that demolished illegal structures along Small Street in the Johannesburg CBD.

Legal challenge

Morero said the building owners obtained a court order to halt the utility cuts. According to the mayor, the judge requested that the owners be given an opportunity to present their case the night before the operation. Morero said that once the matter is heard, the city will be ready to remove the illegal structures.

Broader enforcement activity

The mayor said the city will continue enforcing bylaws within the precinct to address deteriorating infrastructure and unsafe environments as part of restoring the inner city for businesses, residents, commuters and visitors.

During the operation, the JMPD and immigration authorities also apprehended five undocumented foreign nationals who were found in possession of fraudulent immigration documents during a compliance operation at a supermarket in the inner city.

Why it matters

This action forms part of a broader municipal effort to enforce compliance with service payments and building regulations in the Johannesburg CBD, according to the mayor’s office.