The City of Johannesburg has intensified its efforts to enforce municipal compliance and protect public safety through a coordinated multi-departmental inspection operation conducted at Maharaj Centre on Peacock Avenue in Lenasia South. The operation on 13 May 2026 by several City departments and law enforcement entities was part of the municipality’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that businesses and property owners comply with municipal by-laws, fire safety regulations and development planning requirements.
The inspection followed long-standing compliance concerns linked to the property, with officials confirming that the site has experienced regulatory and enforcement challenges since 2018. The matter was escalated through the Office of the City Manager and handed over to CRUM Region G for further investigation and coordinated intervention.
The latest inspection marked the third official visit to the property and included representatives from Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS), City Power, Johannesburg Water (JW), SAPS, Development Planning, Planning Control and Law Enforcement, Human Settlements and City Power Security.
Officials uncovered the unlawful use of the building’s basement, which had originally been approved for parking purposes but was instead being used for business operations, including mechanical work involving vehicles. Inspectors also identified a thatch roof structure inside the building that does not comply with approved building plans or fire safety regulations.
EMS and Fire Safety officials raised additional concerns regarding non-compliant fire equipment, outstanding certification requirements, inadequate signage and other fire safety deficiencies that pose risks to occupants and surrounding businesses.
Officials confirmed that the building is currently occupied without an occupancy certificate, which is a direct violation of municipal regulations. Development Planning teams further noted that approved building plans submitted by the owner did not correspond with the actual conditions found on site, resulting in plans having to be resubmitted for reassessment.
Electricity supply to the property had previously been disconnected by City Power in April 2023. According to the owner, the matter remains subject to legal dispute despite a R50 000 penalty fee having been paid for reconnection while the dispute continues.
The City stated that conducting inspections through a coordinated, multi-departmental approach strengthens accountability and prevents property owners from shifting responsibility between departments or exploiting regulatory gaps.
Article from COJ
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