Germiston Evictions Leave Hundreds Homeless as Mayor Vows No Compromise on Law and Order

The streets of Germiston were tense this week as more than 400 residents were forcibly removed from the Pharoe Park flats, a dramatic operation that has reignited debate over housing, law enforcement, and the city’s mounting municipal debt.

A costly occupation for the city

Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza says the illegal occupation of the complex has cost Ekurhuleni “millions” in unpaid rent and municipal charges. The City of Ekurhuleni Housing Company secured a court order in late June, giving residents until Tuesday to leave. Many didn’t and some claim they never received the notice.

For the city, this is more than a rent dispute. “We are determined to restore law and order,” Xhakaza said. “Illegal occupation contributes to the lawlessness in our CBDs. If we back down, it sends the wrong message.”

A community split

Public opinion is divided. Some locals support the firm stance, saying it’s about time the city tackled non-payment and reclaimed public housing for those on waiting lists. Others see the evictions as a harsh blow to vulnerable families, many of whom are now left with nowhere to go, children in tow, and few options for immediate shelter.

Adding to tensions, city officials accuse some evicted residents of intimidation and vandalism, including setting fire to property in retaliation.

A wedding day in flames

The protests took an unexpected turn when the Home Affairs office in Germiston was torched, allegedly by individuals linked to the eviction unrest. For one couple, it was a devastating twist: they were due to get married there that day.

“It’s a heartbreaking infringement on their dignity, on what was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives,” said Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber, who promised to track down the couple and arrange a new ceremony.

Police have confirmed that two suspects have been arrested in connection with the petrol bombing.

The bigger picture

Housing disputes in Gauteng’s urban centres are nothing new, but the Pharoe Park case reflects a deeper frustration over the slow delivery of affordable housing, rising unemployment, and the sense that those with the least security bear the brunt of enforcement crackdowns.

For Mayor Xhakaza, however, the message is clear: court orders will be enforced, and the city won’t tolerate what it sees as the erosion of law and order.

The question is whether the city can balance its legal victory with a humane solution for the hundreds now left in limbo.

{Source: The Citizen}

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