High Court declares Marble Towers structures illegal

The City of Johannesburg has scored a major legal victory in its fight against illegal structures in the inner city, after the Gauteng High Court ruled on Thursday that structures erected at Marble Towers in the Johannesburg CBD are unlawful.

The court found that the owners, Goldenrod Group, failed to obtain approved building plans from the City and did not prove why an urgent interdict against the municipality should be granted. It further confirmed that the City has the authority to enforce building regulations and fire safety laws in the interest of public safety.

Johannesburg Mayor, Dada Morero, welcomed the ruling, saying it supports the City’s efforts to enforce by-laws.

“As the City of Johannesburg, we are happy that the court ruled in our favour, this is to ensure that we continue to rejuvenate the inner city of Johannesburg, ensure by-law enforcement and ensure that people respect the laws of our City and to encourage communities to report lawlessness,” Morero said.

The judgment comes amid growing concerns over unsafe and overcrowded buildings in the CBD, particularly after several deadly fires in Johannesburg’s inner city in recent years.

The City argued that structures around Marble Towers obstruct fire escape routes and emergency access points, posing serious risks to occupants and emergency personnel in the event of a fire. 

Despite attempts to settle the matter outside of court, the ruling sets strict compliance timelines for the owners. Unsafe structures that obstruct public access must be cordoned off within 72 hours of the order and secured with fencing, barricades, and warning signage.

The court further ordered the removal of structures encroaching on municipal property and gave the owners 20 days to submit compliant building plans and address outstanding fire safety concerns, including emergency exits, evacuation plans, fire detection systems, and emergency lighting.

As a result, construction and installation activities at Marble Towers are expected to come to a halt in line with the court order. 

Victory for the City of Joburg!

In the urgent case brought before the court by the Marble Towers owners, the court has decisively ruled that:

1. The structures erected at Marble Towers are unlawful due to the absence of approved building plans submitted to the City.

2. The… pic.twitter.com/kPqLvDKUA1

— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) May 28, 2026

MMC for Public Safety in the City of Johannesburg, Moshe Koma, welcomed the ruling, calling it a victory for lawful governance and urban safety.

“This ruling sends a strong message that unlawful developments, non-compliance with safety standards, and disregard for municipal regulations will not be tolerated in the City of Johannesburg. Public safety cannot be compromised,” said Koma.

He added that the City would intensify inspections and enforcement operations targeting high-risk buildings and densely populated areas across Johannesburg.

♦️BREAKING NEWS ♦️

MMC Moshe Koma welcomes the court ruling on Marble Towers, reaffirming the City of Johannesburg’s legal mandate to enforce compliance with building, fire safety, and public safety regulations.

The ruling strengthens the City’s authority to act against unsafe… pic.twitter.com/WhBtytqDp7

— COJ People’s MMC Public Safety (@PublicSafetyMMC) May 28, 2026

While the court upheld the City’s enforcement powers, it also emphasised that any demolition process must still follow the correct legal procedures under the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act.