Sema Fonkem 21 May 2025

Cameroonian businessman Baba Ahmadou Danpullo is again in the spotlight of South African news websites after a popular Johannesburg property, Marble Towers, linked to him has found to be in violation of city bylaws.

According Johannesburg City Council, the 32-story building skyscraper owned by the business magnate is currently in debt for R14 million and features a large number of unlawfully erected structures that are part of the council’s demolition plan.

Johannesburg City mayor Dada Morero says the R14 Million debt and concerns over non-compliance have been ongoing for several years.

“We have established that the building owes us R14 million in water, electricity, rates and taxes. So, we are acting. We have already cut off the water meter and are also disconnecting electricity to force the building to comply and pay,” Morero said.

The demolitions have been halted due to a court order filed by Marble Towers’ owners, but tenants have been left destitute after electricity and water services were turned off, while they are waiting for a decision from Johannesburg High Court.

“Over and above that are issues around compliance and building regulations. On our assessment, we have confirmed that structures built there are illegal. However, the owners were able to approach the court and the judge last night requested that we give them an opportunity to present their case at 10am,” Morero added.

The demolition of illegal structures in Johannesburg is merely part of the city’s plan to address issues of bylaw violations, illicit trading, and hijacking of buildings, which has resulted in multiple deaths.

Marbles Towers is also known for providing lease agreements and shops to a high number of illegal immigrants.

In 2017, Baba Danpullo took a R520 million loan from FNB to buy a property and it was agreed that he would pay R10m per month over the period of 10 years, but FNB decided to cancel the agreement without any justification by law.

In 2020, First National Bank (FNB) decided to confiscate and liquidate all Baba Danpullo’s properties in South Africa, valued at R4 billion in order to a settle a R520 million debt.

Approximately 800 of Baba Danpullo’s employees lost their jobs due to FNB’s decision.

Baba Danpullo reaction by seizing assets belonging to MTN Cameroon and Chococam which is part of Tigerbrands South Africa. The companies are subsidiaries of Public Investment Corporate (PIC), a shareholder of FirstRand Bank which owns FNB.

After a lengthy back-and-forth, Baba Danpullo obtained a court injunction in South Africa, thereby ending FNB’s seizure plans.