GAUTENG – In a proactive move against illegal property hijacking, City of Johannesburg (CoJ) officials have conducted another raid at a suspect home in the affluent Bryanston area, just days after their first successful operation.
On Monday, January 12, 2026, officials targeted the luxurious residence on Bryanston Drive, uncovering evidence that while the property appeared abandoned, it had unfortunately become a sanctuary for illegal inhabitants.
Investigators are looking into a man named Lawrence Ramalwa, who is believed to have hijacked not just one but both homes. Ramalwa was previously spotted at the first property, only to claim he was merely cleaning it for someone else.
Raid Uncovers Relocated Illegal Structures
During the raid, officials stumbled upon illegal structures that had been relocated from the initial hijacked property. These structures, primarily consisting of Wendy houses, had been dismantled and hastily moved to this new location, further deepening the web of illicit activities orchestrated by Ramalwa.
Evidence of prior occupancy was also found in the main building, though it was empty at the time of the raid.
In a concerning twist, a source revealed to the media that a group of men arrived in a minibus taxi the previous week and ordered all occupants to leave, possibly fearing an imminent raid on the property.
*Officials remain at the site, and updates will follow as more information becomes available.
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