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Owners of Hijacked Building in Commissioner Street Fire Dispute COJ’s Public Statements
Amidst the tragic incident at the Nugget Street building, where two individuals lost their lives in a fire, the owners of the hijacked property are asserting that the City of Johannesburg misled the public, as reported by EWN.
Also read: Family Awaits DNA Results for Burial of Victim in Joburg CBD Fire Tragedy
Contrary to Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda’s statement that the building was ownerless and abandoned, it has come to light that the property is privately owned. Representing the foreign owners, Nigerian couple Tony and Helen Mene-Akpata, attorney Cyril Thabela expressed their perplexity over the city’s claims, highlighting that they purchased the three-storey building for R1.8 million in 2012.
Despite seeking assistance from the city multiple times, the owners found the city’s characterisation of the property as abandoned rather than hijacked misleading. In response, the city plans to approach the court for a declaration order to declare the building unsafe.
Also read:
Mayor Gwamanda Reveals: Commissioner Street Fire Building Lacks Owner
Picture: X / SimplyCowboy
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