Joburg moves to shut down Marble Towers as fresh violations trigger wider CBD crackdown

The City of Johannesburg is moving to officially shut down Marble Towers after inspectors found traders continuing to operate in defiance of a Gauteng High Court order, while announcing weekly enforcement operations as part of a broader crackdown on by-law violations in the inner city.

The latest by-law enforcement operation uncovered illegal trading and ongoing non-compliance, despite a court order directing the building’s owners, Goldenrod Group, to secure the property and prevent unlawful occupation.

The inspection comes weeks after the Johannesburg High Court dismissed the owners’ urgent application to halt the city’s enforcement action.

Executive Mayor, Dada Morero, said the city is now considering formally closing Marble Towers and removing illegal structures erected around the building.

The city says Marble Towers owes approximately R14 million in municipal debt and has paid only R400,000 towards the outstanding amount.

Friday’s operation also saw two thrift stores shut down after officials found they did not have the required permits to trade in second-hand clothing. Several other business owners were also unable to provide documentation confirming their legal status in the country.

Authorities confiscated clothing after discovering items without barcodes, raising concerns over unpaid customs duties and the possible sale of counterfeit goods.

Morero said that while the city has made progress in reducing illegal trading in the CBD, the fight is far from over.

He said officials will continue inspecting businesses for compliance with building regulations and municipal by-laws, while working with law enforcement agencies to clamp down on the sale of counterfeit goods.

The mayor also announced that enforcement teams will return to Marble Towers every week, saying sporadic operations are not enough to restore order.

He said a permanent Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) presence will be critical to ensuring swift action against future by-law violations.

Once the Marble Towers precinct has been stabilised, the city plans to expand similar enforcement operations to other parts of Johannesburg’s CBD.

The Johannesburg High Court was clear in its judgment: all illegal structures inside Marble Towers were to be shut down and removed, and the building brought into full compliance with safety regulations. The Court further ordered that all non-compliant structures must not be… pic.twitter.com/cNLbj62GGU

— Executive Mayor: @CityofJoburgZA (@DadaMorero) July 10, 2026

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe