- Protesters set the Home Affairs building on fire in Germiston during violent protests over evictions from Pharoe Park flats where people live without paying.
- Two people were arrested for arson while police fired rubber bullets at illegal residents who got eviction notices to leave 450 apartment units.
Protesters set the Home Affairs building on fire in Germiston, Ekurhuleni, during violent protests over evictions.
The angry protests started in the Germiston CBD on Tuesday morning.
It is believed that the protest is linked to evictions, as some people are living in flats at Pharoe Park without paying rent.
City of Ekurhuleni media spokesperson William Ntladi said several streets had been affected by the fire.
Ntladi said they got the call at about 8am on Tuesday morning.
“The Home Affairs’ building is well on fire. This is a two-storey building currently. The top section is the one that is well on fire, the bottom one, we are still fighting to break in and go and see what is happening,” said Ntladi.
“So resources are here, multiple stations with multiple vehicles, and a number of firefighters are on site.”
“In terms of the street operations, President Street and Jack Street are closed for traffic, and all the buildings nearby have been closed for safety and operational purposes.”
“Flames are under control. Structures in the area had to be protected as per the risk check done. So the scene is still happening. So far, no injuries have been reported,” said Ntladi.
Ntladi said the actual cause of the fire is still unknown and that investigations are continuing.
Two people have reportedly been arrested for setting the building on fire.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber has slammed those responsible for setting the building on fire.
“Home Affairs is collecting evidence and will open criminal charges against the troublemakers who set a block of flats on fire in Germiston, which then spread to the nearby Home Affairs office,” Schreiber said.
“It is nothing less than an attack on our social infrastructure and cannot stand.”
Meanwhile, police fired rubber bullets at illegal residents at Pharoe Park who were given an eviction notice by the City of Ekurhuleni Housing Company Phase 2, owned by the city, on 26 June to leave the apartments.
Pharoe Park has six blocks with 450 units, all of which have allegedly been illegally taken over by families who will now be left homeless.
Residents clashed with city workers as they moved into Pharoe Park.
Ntladi confirmed that the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department is carrying out a court order to evict unlawful residents in the low-cost rental units in Pharoe Park, in the Germiston area.
“EMPD officers remain on-site to maintain law and order, and to ensure that the carrying out of the order is done within the law.”
“The city calls on all residents to remain calm, to allow emergency and law enforcement services to carry out their duties, and to raise any complaints through peaceful and lawful channels,” Ntladi said.
Pictured above: The fire at the Germiston Home Affairs.
Image source: Supplied
