The Department of Housing will lead the process of imploding the Karsene Building on Sunday, 15 May 2022.

This comes after the building was condemned last year after structural damage after a fire that broke out at least three times on separate occasions.

Due to the numerous fires that broke out, it has then compromised the safety of the building thus the decision to implode the building which will then be used for the purpose of redevelopment.

The Department has appointed Phoenecian Group, which is a dynamic demolition, civil, building, and geotechnical specialist that will lead the processes of the implosion.

The five-storey building came under the spotlight following the fire, which unfortunately brought about nine fatalities.

“The department of housing has taken a lead in the inner-city rejuvenation programme following a commitment made by the City of Joburg to its residents. The Kaserne implosion is a step closer to reviving the inner city and this will boost investor confidence.

“We acknowledge that there are more resources that need to be injected to rejuvenate the inner city and we will welcome private investments," said Mabaso.

The implosion will make way for a new Vertical Mixed Use (VMU) housing development that will accommodate about 2 000 households as part of the larger precinct development. The VMU housing development, which includes a commercial and retail element, will create jobs during and post construction.

Phoenecian had to carry out minimal 'soft' work within the building itself from a structural perspective, as another sub-contractor that is part of the professional team cleared out all of the internals.

This is to ensure that these structures do not remain standing while the rest of the building collapses around it.

Following the implosion, the service provider's bulk earthworks division will move in to break the rubble down further so it can be reused as a platform substrate for the next stage of the overall development of the site.

The public is urged to use alternative routes as roads in surrounding areas will be temporarily closed off from 9am – 12pm.

We urge everyone who will be in attendance and intend watching the implosion on social media, platforms to kindly use #KaserneBlowDown forms part of the #CleanUpTheCity campaign.

Please follow the link below for livestreaming the Implosion.

https://www.facebook.com/CityofJoburg​

https://twitter.com/CityofJoburgZA 

For media queries, please contact:

Thabile Mbhele
Deputy Director: Communication and Stakeholder Management
Office of the MMC Housing
083 463 2689

Or 

Neo Goba
Deputy Director: Communications
Housing Department
083 632 4483

13/05/2022