One of Johannesburg’s historic buildings, 56 Eloff Street, has been ready for occupation after a series of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) compliance upgrades, according to Vincent Mathibe, spokesperson for Shenge Property Group. The building, which had been temporarily vacant, was the subject of a recent Sunday World report claiming it was abandoned, despite ongoing rental payments. Mathibe strongly rejected these claims, explaining that the temporary vacancy was due to necessary remedial work to meet safety standards, including fire compliance.
“There is a fundamental difference between a lease expiring, a building undergoing compliance upgrades, and a structure being abandoned,” he said. “Conflating these issues creates an inaccurate impression.” The building, which is one of Johannesburg’s old historic structures, has now been cleared, and fire compliance certification is the only remaining requirement. “The government is welcome to re-occupy it as soon as they wish,” Mathibe added.
The 56 Eloff Street building, which has stood in Johannesburg’s central business district for decades, was vacated to allow the completion of essential upgrades, ensuring it meets the Occupational Health and Safety regulations. Shenge confirmed that the upgrades had been completed, and the building is now fully compliant and ready for re-occupation. Mathibe also emphasized that the decision to vacate or renew a lease lies with the tenant, not the landlord.
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In this case, the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development (DID), responsible for provincial government properties, makes the decision regarding lease renewals or relocations. “The decision to temporarily vacate the space was driven by government departments, not Shenge Property Group,” Mathibe explained. “Our role as landlords is to ensure that the building is safe and meets all necessary compliance standards’.
Mathibe noted that the post-pandemic environment has led to changes in office space utilization, with many government departments reassessing their space needs. “Government departments are increasingly adopting hybrid work models, which affect how and when office spaces are used,” he said. The 56 Eloff Street building, part of the historical fabric of Johannesburg, was originally designed as an office building for various government departments.
However, as the demand for office space changes, this historic structure was temporarily vacated to undergo safety upgrades. The scrutiny surrounding Shenge Property Group follows an ongoing forensic investigation launched by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi into provincial lease agreements reportedly costing over R34 million per month. However, Shenge has emphasized its cooperation with the investigation and maintains that no formal findings of wrongdoing have been made against them.
“We welcome scrutiny based on facts, but we reject any suggestion that a building vacancy automatically implies wrongdoing,” Mathibe said. “All government leases undergo thorough procurement processes, Treasury oversight, and legal vetting. Compliance is measurable, and we are confident in our record.”
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