The City of Johannesburg has intensified efforts to curb illegal land invasions following a multidisciplinary operation in Ennerdale Extension 11 earlier today.
The operation, led by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), targeted informal structures erected without legal approval on municipal land. Authorities say the initiative forms part of the City’s ongoing zero-tolerance approach to unlawful land occupation.
Specialised units including the By-laws Management Unit, Public Order Policing (POPS), Operations teams, and the Tactical Response and K9 Unit were deployed during the operation.
In a social media post on X, JMPD reiterated its stance on land invasions.
“We will not tolerate land invasion or the unlawful occupation of land. We remain committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting municipal land from unauthorised occupation,” the department said.
Officials also urged residents to respect municipal by-laws and refrain from occupying land without authorisation, stressing that compliance is essential to maintaining order and protecting public property.
However, tensions between residents and authorities have surfaced in recent days.
Last week, community members resisted similar enforcement efforts in the area. Resident Mfanafuthi Khambule told Globe Post that many people living in the informal settlement believe the land allocation process has been handled through local structures.
“This is not land grabbing,” Khambule said. “There is an office that allocates spaces for people to build their shacks here. There are many shacks in this area — about 300 in total.”
Khambule added that officials have repeatedly visited the area following complaints from nearby residents.
“JMPD has been coming to our section because of complaints from a tavern owner and another woman. They submitted a petition and reported the matter to JMPD. What really puzzles me is that they have been coming to my house specifically. I have pictures of JMPD officials at my house multiple times,” he said.
According to Khambule, several structures were demolished during the operation, including occupied homes.
“They removed two occupied homes and half-built structures. One of those structures is mine and it was occupied. They told me to open the place and take out all the furniture. I asked them for a court order, but they failed to produce one. I then asked where they were going to relocate me if they were demolishing my place,” he said.
Khambule said the demolition has left his family in a difficult situation.
“Today my child will sleep in a half structure,” he said.
