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The Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr. Geoffrey Makhubo, has noted reports and allegations by the Democratic Alliance (DA) misinterpreting a report presented to council on the Jabulani Transit Oriented Development. 

Over the last 12 years, the City, through the release of land for development, has in partnership with private developers, particularly Calgro M3, facilitated an investment of over R 3 billion in the Jabulani Central Business District, which is a key nodal area in Soweto. 

The above includes massive investment in catalytic infrastructure such as stormwater systems, sidewalks, multipurpose community facilities, access roads and bridges in order to stimulate investment into the area. 

Over 4,500 high density residential units have also been delivered and Nedbank has invested R 500 million for the development of the Jabulani Mall. 

These are developments made possible by the land transfer and without which, the City would not have achieved the successes realized to date. 

The main objective has been to develop Jabulani into becoming the main hub and the first interchange point when arriving from outside Soweto and to connect it to all other nodes such as Bara, Orlando, Kliptown etc. 

What has since become a requirement is the development of an intermodal facility which will cater for the safe passage of residents and visitors via various modes of public transport in the area. 

In order to satisfy our public mandate, the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) did a preliminary valuation of the land and has submitted to Council a report recommending that the city must consider acquiring the land back for the purpose of building the requisite public transport facility. This report has attached to it a preliminary market related valuation of R 45 million. 

Given the totality of value that has been realized in the release of the land and subsequent development of the area, the City has enjoyed significant benefit from the initial land release and continues to realize the benefit of development in the area. 

The approval of Council was sought to mandate the Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) to enter into negotiations with the developers. 

Given the concerns raised from Council, the Executive Mayor has agreed to subject the transaction to the scrutiny of the City’s Group Forensics and Investigation Services (GFIS) as well as the relevant committees of Council, to satisfy the Council and Mayoral Committee that the proposed transaction is financially and publicly judicious and in compliance with the law.

Issued by The City of Johannesburg