HIGH COURT AFFIRMS CITY OF JOHANNESBURG'S BY-LAW AUTHORITY IN MARBLE TOWERS DISPUTE
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JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG – The Gauteng Division of the High Court in Johannesburg has granted a draft order by agreement, decisively cementing the City of Johannesburg’s authority to enforce building regulations and fire safety protocols in the inner city.
The ruling, delivered by His Lordship Justice Stuart Wilson, settles an urgent legal dispute between the city’s municipality and property development firm Goldenrod Group (Pty) Ltd under case number 111519-2026. The legal battle stems from ongoing by-law enforcement and demolition operations targeting illegal structural additions at the landmark Marble Towers building in the Johannesburg CBD.
Terms of the Court Order
Under the terms of the agreed-upon order, Goldenrod Group is strictly interdicted and restrained from continuing any further installation of units or related construction activities at the property. Furthermore, the developer is prohibited from permitting the use or occupation of any structures deemed non-compliant with building regulations.
Key conditions of the court order include:
72-Hour Cordon & Seal: Within 72 hours, all structures identified by the city as non-compliant with approved building plans must be cordoned off and sealed. Goldenrod Group is legally required to secure these zones with adequate fencing, clear warning signage, and measures to prevent unauthorized entry.
Encroachment Removal: The developer must immediately dismantle and remove all structures encroaching on municipal property, public pavements, and road reserves.
Fire Safety Mandate: Within 72 hours of receiving written notice of non-compliance from the city, the applicant must resolve all identified fire safety hazards. This includes rectifying issues with emergency exits (means of egress), fire protection/detection systems, emergency lighting, and evacuation plans, providing written proof of compliance to the city.
The city retains the legal right to inspect the property immediately upon the expiration of the compliance window. Should Goldenrod Group fail to comply, the City of Johannesburg is authorized to pursue demolition orders, with all removal and cordoning expenses billed directly to the developer.
A Broad Crackdown on CBD By-Law Violations
The High Court agreement follows a series of highly publicized municipal clampdowns. On Wednesday, Executive Mayor Dada Morero and municipal officials led a delegation to Marble Towers to demolish unauthorized container shops built without municipal approval.
While Goldenrod Group initially secured a temporary block on the demolitions on Wednesday night, the subsequent High Court agreement establishes a joint inspection protocol to permanently identify and lock down non-compliant zones.
The City of Johannesburg has warned that no developer or business stands above municipal by-laws, confirming that weekly compliance checks will continue across the CBD to target illegal trading, structural violations, and unpaid municipal debt.
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