Cape Town – Tensions over mass evictions in Germiston, Ekurhuleni, boiled over into violence when the Department of Home Affairs building in the city’s CBD was set alight during a protest.
What began as a demonstration against the forced removal of residents from the municipally owned Pharoe Park flats escalated into street blockades, clashes with police, and a blaze that left the upper floor of the two-storey government building badly damaged on Monday.
According to City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management spokesperson William Ntladi, firefighters were alerted just after 8:00 a.m. and found the building “well alight”.
Germiston home affairs this morning kunzima kwalakithi eSouth Africa pic.twitter.com/Rjs3LNxN41
— Xolani Shongwe (@XolaniGShongwe) August 12, 2025
“The top section is the one that is well alight. Resources are here, multiple stations with multiple vehicles, and a number of firefighters are on site,” he said.
Crews battled the flames while authorities closed President and Jack streets, evacuated surrounding buildings, and kept the public at a safe distance. No casualties have been reported, though damage to the structure is significant.
Protestors have allegedly set the Home Affairs building on fire in #Germiston in Ekurhuleni.The volatile protests erupted in the Germiston CBD on Tuesday morning. City of Ekurhuleni Media Liason Officer William Ntladi explains. Pics/Vids: Supplied. @TheCitizen_News pic.twitter.com/8PC5zvE1UB
— 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) August 12, 2025
The protest was sparked by a court-ordered eviction affecting more than 400 families at Pharoe Park. Residents there are accused of failing to pay rent, rates, and taxes for decades, with total arrears reportedly exceeding R200 million.
The Ekurhuleni Housing Company (EHC) said the evictions are necessary to recover municipal losses and free up housing units for tenants who can pay.
“Eviction is always a last resort,” said EHC CEO Zingisani Nkamana.
“But without operational sustainability, we cannot provide housing to those in genuine need who are willing and able to meet their obligations” reported SowetanLIVE.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber tweeted, “Home Affairs is collating evidence and will open criminal charges against the anarchists who set a block of flats on fire in Germiston, which then spread to the neighbouring Home Affairs office. It is nothing less than an attack on our social infrastructure and cannot stand.”
Home Affairs is collating evidence and will open criminal charges against the anarchists who set a block of flats on fire in Germiston, which then spread to the neighbouring Home Affairs office. It is nothing less than an attack on our social infrastructure and cannot stand.
— Leon Schreiber (@Leon_Schreib) August 12, 2025
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, the police have confirmed they have made two arrest in connection with the Home Affairs fire. They are still looking for more suspects.
[BREAKING] Two people arrested for allegedly torching the Home Affairs building in Germiston. The police are looking for more suspects.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/UjAE7biCx3
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) August 12, 2025
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
