Hijacked buildings in South Africa

Hijacked buildings in South Africa are abandoned or vacant buildings that have been illegally occupied by individuals or groups, often criminal syndicates. The phenomenon is particularly common in Johannesburg and Durban, where there are an estimated 200 large hijacked buildings and 250 private dwellings.

Most hijacked buildings are often in a dilapidated state, with no running water, electricity, or sanitation. They can be dangerous places to live, with high rates of crime and fire and it's one of the factors cited during the 2023 Johannesburg building fire. Despite this, many people live in hijacked buildings because they cannot afford other housing options.

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