Johannesburg – Johannesburg Executive Mayor Dada Morero has issued a stern warning to shop and property owners in the city’s central business district (CBD), saying the City of Joburg will no longer tolerate behaviour that fuels filth, illegal trading and lawlessness in the inner city.
Morero said shop owners were among those directly contributing to the deteriorating conditions in the CBD, accusing some of openly flouting municipal by-laws.
“Shop owners are directly contributing to the problem. They litter right in front of their shops with boxes and plastics everywhere,” he said.
“These shop owners have no regard for the rule of law, and we will shut them down without hesitation.”
Shop owners are directly contributing to the problem. They litter right in front of their shops with boxes and plastics everywhere. The authorities are already taking action. These shop owners have no regard for the rule of law, and we will shut them down without hesitation. pic.twitter.com/5Bf47Vq5Ux
— Executive Mayor of the City Of Joburg (@DadaMorero) December 22, 2025
The mayor’s remarks come amid intensified efforts by city authorities to reclaim the inner city, following mounting complaints from residents and businesses about grime, congestion and illegal operations.
According to Morero, the situation has been allowed to spiral because of a lack of decisive action by officials on the ground.
“Over the past week, I have been in the heart of the inner city witnessing the serious challenges we face. I hear your frustrations clearly,” Morero said.
“Unfortunately, officials have failed to act, allowing illegal traders, unlicensed taxi ranks, and illegal car washes to operate unchecked.”
Over the past week, I have been in the heart of the inner city witnessing the serious challenges we face. I hear your frustrations clearly. Unfortunately, officials have failed to act, allowing illegal traders, unlicensed taxi ranks, and illegal car washes to operate unchecked,… pic.twitter.com/JVLRbAjnF7
— Executive Mayor of the City Of Joburg (@DadaMorero) December 22, 2025
Morero also turned his attention to the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), criticising officers for failing to actively enforce the law.
“This must stop, the reckless habit of JMPD officers remaining in their vehicles instead of actively enforcing the laws,” he said. “Lawlessness happening in broad daylight while officers simply observe from their patrol cars is intolerable. Heads will roll.”
The warning has sent a clear signal to shop and property owners operating in the CBD, many of whom have been blamed for dumping refuse outside their premises and enabling illegal activity.
This must stop, the reckless habit of JMPD officers remaining in their vehicles instead of actively enforcing the laws. Lawlessness happening in broad daylight while officers simply observe from their patrol cars is intolerable. Heads will roll. pic.twitter.com/QGFbdUxR0h
— Executive Mayor of the City Of Joburg (@DadaMorero) December 22, 2025
The mayor said enforcement operations were already under way and would be escalated in the coming days.
Authorities have indicated that non-compliant businesses risk fines, closure or having their operating permits revoked as part of the city’s renewed push to restore order and cleanliness in Johannesburg’s inner city.
The City of Joburg said further updates on enforcement actions would be communicated as operations continue.
Mayor Morero spearheads Inner City reclamation blitz
While many observe the festive hiatus, Executive Mayor Cllr Dada Morero has deployed multidisciplinary municipal teams across the Johannesburg Inner City to enforce a rigorous mandate of urban discipline. This strategic… pic.twitter.com/aKATU8YVkX
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) December 23, 2025
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
