Malema Calls For Johannesburg’s Hijacked Buildings To Be Converted Into Student Accommodation

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has called for the City of Johannesburg to reclaim hijacked buildings and convert them into affordable housing and student accommodation, saying the city is facing a serious crisis involving properties allegedly taken over by criminal syndicates.

Malema made the remarks on Saturday, 31 October 2026, while addressing the EFF’s final election rally at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto ahead of the November 4 local government elections.

The EFF leader said buildings in Johannesburg’s inner city, particularly in areas such as Hillbrow, Berea, Jeppestown and Marshalltown, had been taken over by criminal networks allegedly exploiting vulnerable people by collecting rent from occupants.

He argued that properties belonging to the municipality should be returned to the city and put to productive use instead of being controlled by individuals operating outside the law.

According to Malema, converting these buildings into student accommodation would help address the shortage of affordable housing for young people pursuing tertiary education.

He also suggested that the properties could provide accommodation for workers who struggle to afford housing close to their places of employment.

Malema criticised those allegedly operating illegal rental schemes in hijacked buildings, saying vulnerable residents were being exploited because they had limited accommodation options.

He warned that authorities would have to take decisive action against individuals involved in unlawfully occupying and controlling properties.

The EFF leader also referred to the August 2023 Marshalltown building fire, which claimed the lives of more than 70 people. The tragedy exposed serious concerns about overcrowding, unsafe living conditions and the management of buildings in Johannesburg’s inner city.

Malema said the city could no longer ignore the situation and called for a more determined approach to restoring control over affected properties.

Johannesburg has struggled for years with the problem of hijacked and abandoned buildings. The challenge has been compounded by criminal activity, illegal electricity connections, poor sanitation and overcrowding.

However, reclaiming these properties has not been straightforward, with authorities facing legal processes, financial constraints and the responsibility of finding alternative accommodation for people who may be displaced.

The City of Johannesburg has previously acknowledged that limited resources and a shortage of temporary emergency accommodation remain significant obstacles to addressing the problem.

Malema’s proposal comes as political parties outline their plans to address housing, infrastructure and service delivery challenges ahead of the local government elections.

He maintained that reclaiming hijacked buildings and converting them into affordable accommodation could help restore Johannesburg’s inner city while providing much-needed housing opportunities for students and working-class residents.

The EFF has placed housing, economic opportunities and municipal accountability among the issues it is highlighting during its election campaign.