By Johnathan Paoli
The Germiston central business district awoke to the Department of Home Affairs building engulfed in flames, forcing the closure of key roads and nearby businesses as firefighters battled to contain the blaze.
The fire broke out amid eviction-related protests, with police also moving in to remove alleged illegal occupants from a nearby block of flats.
It is believed protesters set the building alight in response to the evictions, demanding to be reinstated in the Pharoe Park flats without paying rent.
At least two people have been arrested in connection with the fire.
City of Ekurhuleni media liaison officer William Ntladi said emergency services were called to the scene shortly after 8:00am.
“The Home Affairs building is well alight. The top section is the most affected, while our crews are still trying to break into the lower level to assess the situation,” Ntladi confirmed.
Streets including President, Jack, and Queen have been closed, and access to surrounding buildings restricted for safety.
“In terms of operations, all nearby businesses have been shut down temporarily. The scene remains volatile, but so far no casualties have been reported,” Ntladi said, adding that the cause will be determined once the blaze is under control.
Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, who visited the CBD on Tuesday afternoon, condemned the burning of the Home Affairs building.
““This [burning of the Home Affairs office building] is barbaric and will inconvenience our communities. However, as part of the renewal programme dealing with hijacked buildings, the Ekurhuleni Social Housing Company secured a court order, which the sheriff was executing and enforcing by-laws,” said Xhakaza, vowing to restore order regarding hijacked buildings.
“What is painful is that rentals are paid to the wrong people. Some criminal activities in these buildings must be stopped. We must continue to ensure that illegally occupied buildings, especially those privately owned and abandoned, are addressed, as they contribute significantly to the decay of the city. We risk this city becoming a white elephant. The government must not give up; we must restore law and order to the city.”
The City of Ekurhuleni expressed deep concern over the fire that broke out at the Department of Home Affairs building in Germiston.
“Preliminary reports from the City’s Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) indicate that the fire engulfed the second floor of the two-storey building. Multiple fire engines were dispatched to the scene, and firefighters successfully contained and extinguished the blaze, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the building,” the City said in a statement.
“Firefighters had to gain access to locked areas to secure the premises. At this stage, the cause of the fire remains undetermined, although arson is suspected. A full investigation will begin once the site is fully secured. No injuries have been reported.”
The City said it condemned in the strongest terms any acts of violence, destruction of public property, or intimidation, and calls for calm and cooperation with law enforcement authorities.
Separately, the City confirmed that the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) is executing a court order to evict unlawful occupants from the Pharoe Park low-cost rental stock in Germiston, in accordance with the court’s directive.
EMPD officers remain on-site to maintain law and order and to ensure the eviction is carried out lawfully.
The City urged all residents to stay calm, allow emergency and law enforcement officials to perform their duties, and to raise any grievances through peaceful and lawful channels.
Law enforcement maintains a heavy presence in the CBD, with the South African Police Service, Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department, and Gauteng Traffic Police dispersing crowds and managing diversions.
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