The City of Joburg has begun a large-scale operation to demolish illegal structures in the Denver informal settlement, a densely populated area in the inner city. The move is part of a broader initiative by the city’s Human Settlements Department to reclaim urban spaces that have become hubs for criminal activity — particularly illegal mining.
Early on Wednesday morning, teams of workers dressed in neon green reflective vests and blue overalls moved in, accompanied by law enforcement officials, to begin dismantling unoccupied shacks. According to city officials, the structures targeted for demolition are not residential homes, but rather abandoned or incomplete units being used for illicit activities.
As the demolition teams arrived, many residents emerged from their homes to watch the operation unfold. Some recorded the events on their phones, while others voiced concern and tried to confront the officials involved in the operation. A few people reportedly attempted to stop the demolition process, leading to tense confrontations with security personnel.
However, Joburg’s MMC for Human Settlements, Mlungisi Mabaso, said the city had exhausted all alternatives before opting for demolitions.
“The majority of the shacks here are being used for illegal mining,” said Mabaso.
“And all these shacks, they’ve got holes inside, which is a clear demonstration that they are being used for criminal activity.”
Illegal Mining a Growing Threat in Joburg Inner City
Illegal mining, known locally as “zama zama” activity, has long plagued parts of Joburg, particularly in underdeveloped or poorly monitored settlements. These illegal operations not only endanger the lives of the individuals involved, but also put nearby residents at risk due to unstable underground tunnels, increased crime, and violent turf wars.
According to Mabaso, Joburg cannot afford to allow informal structures to be exploited by criminal networks under the guise of housing. He emphasized that the city supports access to housing but must act when structures are being misused for illegal purposes.
“This is not about evicting people. This is about dismantling a criminal infrastructure hiding under the cloak of homelessness,” he said.
The Denver informal settlement, located near the city’s central business district, has been flagged in several reports as a hotspot for illegal mining activity. Residents in the area have raised safety concerns for months, pointing to unexplained ground tremors and night-time activity near certain shacks.
While the city insists the Joburg demolitions are targeted and lawful, the scenes on the ground were filled with emotion. Some residents, unaware of which structures were scheduled for demolition, feared their homes would be next.
Several residents told reporters they support the city’s effort to tackle crime but asked for more transparency and community engagement before operations like this are carried out.
“We’re tired of the illegal miners too, but the city needs to talk to us, not just show up with trucks and police,” said one concerned local, who asked to remain anonymous.
The Human Settlements Department confirmed that only unoccupied structures or those with evidence of illegal mining were being demolished. No evictions were conducted during this phase of the operation.
Still, the Joburg authorities are bracing for further pushback as the demolitions continue. According to Mabaso, the plan is to dismantle several more illegal units before the end of the week.
The City of Joburg has also emphasized that this is not a one-off operation, but part of a longer-term plan to bring order and development to informal settlements. The city has pledged to work with provincial and national government structures to deliver safe, regulated housing while cracking down on criminal exploitation of informal areas.
“We are not against people building homes. But we will not allow our city to be hijacked by criminals pretending to be residents,” Mabaso stated firmly.
The Human Settlements Department is working on a community mapping project to distinguish legitimate residents from criminal operators. They hope this data will guide future policy and protect vulnerable residents from being caught in the crossfire.
The Joburg demolition operation in Denver reflects a larger challenge faced by South African cities — how to balance housing needs with crime prevention. While many residents support efforts to tackle illegal mining and gangsterism, there is a clear call for greater transparency, accountability, and community engagement.
As the city of Joburg moves forward with its plan, residents, advocacy groups, and city officials will need to work together to ensure that solutions are both effective and humane. The fight against criminals hiding in plain sight is far from over, but for many in Denver, Wednesday’s operation may be the first sign that the city is finally listening.
Source- EWN
