Ekurhuleni Mayor stands firm on evictions after Germiston Home Affairs arson attack

City of Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza says the city will not back down on evicting tenants who illegally occupy flats, following violent protests that saw the Department of Home Affairs building in Germiston catch fire on Tuesday morning.

The unrest comes in response to a series of court-ordered evictions at low-cost rental flats in Pharoe Park. 

The rental flat is owned by the city’s housing company, the Ekurhuleni Housing Company (EHC).

The city says tenants failed to pay rent, prompting legal action and removals enforced by the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD).

Speaking to the media outside the damaged two-storey building, Xhakaza said it is time for strong leadership to restore order.

“Its about time leaders are firm, because running up and down and allowing these things to happen is what eventually contributes to lawlessness,” he said. 

“They wrongly occupy the housing and ultimately start doing wrong things. There’s a combination of factors: lawlessness, no tough stance, and non-compliance. Eventually, the entire building gets into the wrong hands.”

Xhakaza said the city has attempted community engagement for months but insists the law must now take its course.

“There’ve been community mobilisations, and we’ve gone back and forth trying to restore order. But they think it is possible, through intimidation and burning properties, that we will back down. We are determined as the leadership, and our communities are in full support. They want us to reclaim our CBDs,” he said.

When asked about residents who claim they were evicted despite paying rent, Xhakaza said many of the affected buildings are owned by the city’s housing company, and efforts are underway to ensure they are properly managed.

“Some of these buildings are owned by our housing company, and we are fully behind them in restoring order. We are looking forward to working with private investors to push back against these illegal activities. I am confident we will establish a system that benefits everyone,” he said.

He added that evicted tenants are aware of the legal processes and avenues available to them.

“We are available for conversations with communities, but I can tell you - they know what to do. They choose illegal occupation because they get to pay less rent and benefit from the lawlessness,” he said.

Meanwhile, officials confirmed that all critical documents, including smart ID cards and passports - are safe, despite extensive fire and water damage to the Home Affairs building.

Gauteng Home Affairs provincial manager Mamokubung Moroke said the most damage occurred on the first floor, which housed administrative and immigration services.

“This is a huge loss in terms of property and equipment, but documents are safe because they were securely locked on the ground floor, which did not catch fire,” Moroke said.

However, she said that the ground floor suffered significant water damage from firefighting efforts. Affected clients will need to resubmit their documents.

Home Affairs services will continue via mobile trucks stationed at the Alberton and Boksburg offices, beginning Wednesday. 

She said only clients with prior appointments or those turned away due to the fire will be assisted initially.

Earlier, IOL News reported that Gauteng police confirmed the arrest of two people on charges of public violence in connection with the fire and protests in Germiston CBD. 

Officers from the SAPS, Gauteng Traffic Department, and EMPD were deployed to manage the scene, which affected President Street, Queen Street, and Jack Street.

EMPD spokesperson Deliwe Nhlovu said protesters attempted to occupy flats at Pharoe Park without paying rent. 

The protest escalated into an arson attack on the Department of Home Affairs building.

Firefighters responded shortly after 8 a.m. to extinguish the blaze, which engulfed the second storey of the two-storey structure. 

William Ntladi, spokesperson for Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS), said the top section of the building sustained the most damage.

“Multiple resources and firefighters were on scene. We had to break into locked areas to secure the premises,” Ntladi said.

While no injuries were reported, nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution, and traffic was diverted.

The city said the fire has been brought under control and condemned any acts of violence and destruction.

“The city strongly condemns any acts of violence, destruction of public property, or intimidation. We call for calm and full cooperation with law enforcement authorities,” the city said in a statement.

The city said a formal investigation into the cause of the fire, which is suspected to be arson, will commence once the site is fully secured.

[email protected]

IOL News