By localnew 
Bryanston Property Hijacking Suspect Arrested by JMPD
Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officers have arrested a man believed to be behind the long-running hijacking of a luxury property on Grosvenor Road in Bryanston.
The suspect, identified as Lawrence Ramalwa, reportedly took control of the abandoned mansion in 2020 while the owner was away. Over the past five years, he is accused of turning the once-grand estate into an informal settlement by building makeshift wooden huts and Wendy houses, which he allegedly rented out to dozens of occupants.
During today’s operation, which is reportedly the third raid on the property, JMPD officers dismantled numerous illegal structures and arrested Ramalwa. Authorities also disconnected unlawful electricity and water connections in an effort to regain lawful control of the land.
City officials had previously discovered that the main house had been subdivided into dozens of dwellings, with about 150 people reportedly living on the grounds.
The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in this high-profile case, highlighting the growing problem of property hijacking in Johannesburg’s affluent suburbs. With the alleged “kingpin” now in custody, authorities face the task of managing the remaining occupants and restoring the property to its rightful owner.
