Building on recent violence like the DJ Warras shooting, former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba warns of ongoing turf wars by hijackers and politically linked syndicates. The city ramps up multi-agency inspections, including a raid this weekend on a notorious Marshalltown building, as experts highlight corruption challenges.
Amid escalating turf wars over hijacked buildings in Johannesburg's CBD—following the fatal shooting of anti-hijacking activist DJ Warras earlier this week—former City of Johannesburg mayor and ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has reiterated that the city remains a battleground for hijackers and criminal syndicates, often connected to politically influential figures.
Mashaba called for accountability, referencing exposures by Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkwanazi: “Unfortunately, this whole syndicate of hijacked buildings involved the people who are politically connected, some of them directly involved in politics. Our law enforcement agencies... have, I’m sure, now South Africans can now see for themselves.”
Private investigator Mike Bolhuis pointed to corruption and bribery as key enablers, noting difficulties in evictions due to threats against police, slow courts, and kingpin influence: “These groups are so clever and they can bribe the authorities and also going to an extend of killing somebody.”
Johannesburg's MMC for Public Safety, Mgcini Tshwaku, confirmed intensified city efforts against rental turf wars endangering lives. A multi-agency team conducted a raid this Saturday at a dangerous hijacked building in Marshalltown, part of broader operations to reclaim properties.