The Johannesburg High Court has dismissed the urgent interdict brought by Marble Towers owners, clearing the way for the City of Johannesburg to demolish illegal structures inside the building. Image: Supplied
The Johannesburg High Court has dismissed the urgent interdict brought by the owners of Marble Towers. The court cleared the way for the City of Johannesburg to demolish illegal and unsafe structures inside the building. This Marble Towers demolition ruling is a significant victory for the city’s inner-city reclamation campaign.
What the Marble Towers Demolition Ruling Means
The owners of Marble Towers had approached the court on an urgent basis. They sought to stop the City of Johannesburg from demolishing structures erected inside the building. However, the court dismissed the application. As a result, the city can now proceed with the demolition of illegal and unsafe structures on the premises.
The City of Johannesburg welcomed the ruling. It confirmed that demolition teams would move forward with the removal of illegal structures. Furthermore, the city said the ruling validated its approach to reclaiming the inner city from illegal occupants and unsafe buildings.
Background to the Marble Towers Dispute
The dispute began on Monday 19 May 2026. Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero led a high-impact blitz inspection at Marble Towers with more than 500 officials. The team included SAPS, JMPD, Home Affairs and municipal authorities. During the operation, city officials disconnected electricity and water to the building. A butchery owner was also arrested for harbouring undocumented immigrants.
Marble Towers owes the City of Johannesburg R14 million in unpaid rates, taxes, electricity and water. The building, situated on the corner of Jeppe and Von Wielligh Streets in the CBD, has been at the centre of the city’s inner-city enforcement drive. People were found living and working in the same spaces. Illegal structures had been erected throughout the building without approvals.
When demolition began, the owners rushed to the Johannesburg High Court and obtained a temporary interdict halting the process. The court has now dismissed that interdict. Therefore, the city is free to proceed.
Mayor Morero’s Inner City Campaign
The Marble Towers demolition ruling forms part of Mayor Morero’s broader inner-city reclamation campaign. The campaign has already targeted Small Street and De Villiers Street. Morero has stated that the city intends to move from building to building across the CBD. He confirmed that the city is ready to use all necessary legal force against those resisting enforcement.
“We are reclaiming the inner city, precinct by precinct,” Morero said earlier this month. “This is not a once-off intervention.”
For more information on the City of Johannesburg’s inner-city enforcement campaign visit joburg.org.za.
Read our earlier coverage: Joburg Mayor Leads 500-Strong Operation at Marble Towers.
Editors Note The owners of Marble Towers retain the right to appeal the High Court’s ruling. Mzansi Today Live will update this article as further information becomes available.