Tshwane secures court order to demolish illegal Pretoria West building

The City of Tshwane said it has scored a significant legal victory after the High Court granted the municipality a final interdict, eviction and demolition order against property developer George Asaba.

The ruling relates to an unlawfully constructed multi-storey building at 47 Arcadia Avenue in Proclamation Hill, Pretoria West, and orders that all illegal structures and occupants be removed from the property.

MMC for Corporate and Shared Services Flora Monama said the judgment strengthens the city’s campaign against illegal developments and the enforcement of municipal bylaws.

The municipality said that the property was approved only for a single residential dwelling, but construction allegedly continued without authorised building plans despite several stop-work notices issued by the city.

Officials said the building contained illegal electricity connections that posed major fire hazards and possible structural risks. The city further accused Asaba of operating unlawfully while exploiting people searching for accommodation and causing financial losses to the municipality.

The court ruling follows a bylaw enforcement operation carried out in March at another Pretoria West property allegedly linked to Asaba. During that operation, city officials disconnected illegal water and electricity connections at a 40-room student accommodation development.

Authorities also discovered what they described as attempts to hide illegal electrical cabling by covering it with cement.

Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya said inspectors found that a municipal power box had been unlawfully relocated inside the property while further construction work continued despite previous enforcement measures.

Moya said the city would continue acting firmly against illegal developments and repeat offenders operating within Tshwane.

Monama added that one of Asaba’s non-compliant properties had already been demolished, while legal proceedings against several other linked properties were continuing as the municipality intensified efforts to clamp down on unauthorised developments.