Two arrested for public violence amid evictions and fire at Germiston Home Affairs
Gauteng police have arrested two people for public violence after Germiston Home Affairs offices were set alight on Tuesday morning.
Image: Supplied/EMPD
Gauteng police arrested two people following a protest action and a fire at the Department of Home Affairs building in Germiston on Tuesday morning.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed that the two have been charged with public violence.
On Tuesday morning Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) reported ongoing protest action in the Germiston CBD.
Streets affected included President Street, Queen Street, and Jack Street.
“The Home Affairs building was also set alight by protesters,” said EMPD spokesperson Deliwe Nhlovu.
“The protest is related to evictions, with people attempting to occupy flats at Pharoe Park without paying rent. SAPS, Gauteng Traffic Officers, and EMPD are currently on scene.”
Firefighters were called to the Department of Home Affairs building shortly after 8 am, as flames engulfed the second storey of the two-storey structure.
William Ntladi, spokesperson for the City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS), confirmed multiple fire stations and vehicles were dispatched to the site.
“The top section is well alight. We’re still battling to break into the bottom floor to assess the situation. Multiple resources and firefighters are on scene,” Ntladi said.
While there have been no reported injuries, several surrounding buildings were evacuated and cordoned off for safety and operational reasons. President Street and Jack Street remained open for diverted traffic.
The City of Ekurhuleni later added that the fire was eventually brought under control, with significant damage reported to the second floor.
Firefighters were forced to break into locked areas to secure the premises.
Although the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined, the city said arson is strongly suspected.
“A full fire investigation will commence once the site is fully secured.”
The city said it “condemns in the strongest terms any acts of violence, destruction of public property, or intimidation” and called for calm and cooperation with law enforcement authorities.
The city said EMPD confirmed it was executing a court order to evict unlawful occupants from low-cost rental flats in Pharoe Park, acting on a directive issued in June.
The metro that residents had been served with eviction notices after failing to pay rent.
Officers were seen removing the belongings of the evicted tenants from the apartments.
Meanwhile, the African National Congress (ANC) in the Ekurhuleni region condemned the torching of the Germiston Home Affairs office, calling it “an unruly and destructive act” against a critical national key point.
“Such acts are criminal offences and must be treated as such, warranting the full and decisive application of the law,” said ANC Ekurhuleni regional secretary Jongizizwe Dlabathi.
“The deliberate destruction of such an important public office is tantamount to a violation of human rights and an attack on the state’s capacity to deliver essential services. Those who incite, organise, or participate in such acts must face punitive consequences.”
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