The Department of Home Affairs has opened a criminal case with the SAPS, following the torching of its offices in Germiston, Ekurhuleni, earlier today.
According to the police, the offices were allegedly set on fire by disgruntled residents from the nearby Pharoe Park flats, who were protesting their eviction from the premises.
“I can confirm a case now has been opened and Home Affairs is working with SAPS to provide all evidence and ensure swift arrests and convictions.
“Attacks on #TeamHomeAffairs’ people and critical social infrastructure will not be tolerated for even one second.
“It is nothing less than an attack on our social infrastructure and cannot stand,” said minister Leon Schreiber in a post on X.
Police said two people were arrested following the incident and will face several charges including malicious damage to property.
The spokesperson for the City of Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Service, William Ntladi, said the two-storey building had been severely damaged and there were no injuries reported.
“The top section is the one that is well alight. The bottom one, we’re still battling to break in and see what’s happening. Resources are here, multiple fire stations, with multiple vehicles, and several firefighters are on site,” said Ntladi.
Meanwhile, Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has condemned the incident, adding that lawlessness will not be tolerated at the municipality.
“Without this facility, people are going to suffer, it is not only the people of Germiston that are going to suffer, but nearby areas too. They’ll be inconvenienced, as they’ll not be able to access all the home affairs services like birth certificates, issuance of passports, ID’s, etc. They’ll have to go somewhere to get these services,” said Xhakaza during a media briefing.
The mayor defended the eviction of the non-paying tenants at Pharoe Park flats, adding that the municipality was left without any choice, after the residents refused to voluntarily leave the premises.
“The Ekurhuleni Housing Company has embarked on the urban renewal programme to clean the CBD of illegal occupiers and hijacked buildings. There’s so much outcry about people illegally occupying buildings.
“Some residents claim that they pay rental and municipal services to some unknown people, and the money doesn’t come to the coffers of the municipality.
“Private owners abandoned their properties, and ran away, contributing to the decay of the city,” explained the mayor.
Xhakaza urged residents who have been paying for their services, to approach relevant authorities, so that they can be allowed back to the premises.
