Morero vows ‘no one is above the law’ as Joburg continues Marble Towers clean-up

Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero pressed ahead with a city clean-up in the CBD on Thursday, saying “no one is above the law” as legal action temporarily blocked further demolition at Marble Towers.

Court interdict and the city’s actions

The Gauteng High Court, Johannesburg, issued an order stopping the City of Joburg and Mayor Morero from demolishing or interfering with structures at Marble Towers after the building’s owner, Goldenrod Group, brought an urgent application. The court ruling followed demolition activity by city officials on Wednesday.

Judge Stuart Wilson ruled on Wednesday that the city may not carry out demolitions, restrict access, or make use of law enforcement agencies at the site until an urgent hearing is concluded.

Morero continues clean-up nearby

Despite the interdict, Morero continued the city’s clean-up operation on Thursday morning in parts of Small Street, near the High Court proceedings. He said the administration remains committed to reclaiming the inner city and warned against the erection of illegal structures.

“When we appeared before the court in the matter involving Marble Towers, certain agreements were reached. Unfortunately, parts of those agreements have not been honoured.”

Enforcing compliance, precinct by precinct

Morero said the city will “enforce compliance with the law” and proceed “precinct by precinct”. He added:

“That is why we are here today to enforce compliance with the law. We will continue this process, precinct by precinct, and we want to send a clear message to all property owners with illegal structures: we are coming. Any unlawful structure or illegal activity will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”

Safety and by-law enforcement

Morero framed the operation as part of the City’s by-law enforcement and urban renewal programme, saying:

“No one is above the law, and public spaces cannot be occupied or developed unlawfully. Today, we are removing illegal structures erected behind the Johannesburg High Court in line with our ongoing by-law enforcement and urban renewal programme.”

The disruption at Marble Towers follows earlier demolition activity that had been halted more than a month earlier after a previous urgent court interdict obtained by the building’s owners. The current legal tussle centres on the city’s claims that illegal trading continued despite an earlier court order requiring the owner to secure the building.