13 illegal foreigners arrested

Thirteen people have been arrested for illegally occupying two hijacked Joburg buildings for over four years.

The arrests in Windsor East resulted from a joint operation by the City of Joburg and the police.

The suspects had been living in the buildings in defiance of an eviction order granted in 2018.

After Friday morning's raid, the city renewed its commitment to fight for hijacked buildings.

City spokesperson Lucky Sindane said the suspects ignored an eviction order obtained by the owners.

Sindane said one of the arrested occupiers had been renting a unit in a hijacked building.

"The property owner evicted these suspects in 2018, but the suspects forcefully moved back into the property the same day."

The suspects are expected to appear in the Randburg Magistrates Court on Monday, where they will each be charged with trespassing, contempt of court and malicious property damage.