The Gauteng High Court ruling against property developer George Asaba paves the way for demolition of two high-rise buildings constructed in Pretoria west without approved plans.
Image: Supplied/City of Tshwane
The City of Tshwane says it has secured a decisive court victory granting it authority to demolish an unlawfully constructed multi-storey building in Proclamation Hill, Pretoria West, after the High Court issued a final interdict, eviction order and demolition ruling against property developer George Asaba.
The judgment relates to a property at 178 Proclamation Hill, 47 Arcadia Avenue, where the municipality says construction was carried out without approval and in direct violation of zoning regulations restricting the site to a single dwelling.
According to the City, the court order effectively “halts the unlawful construction of a multi-storey building” and requires “the complete removal of all illegal structures and occupants.”
MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Clr Flora Monama, welcomed the ruling, describing Asaba as a repeat offender who ignored enforcement efforts by the municipality.
“For years, Asaba has acted as a law unto himself, ignoring multiple stop-construction notices served by the City,” Monama said.
She added that despite repeated interventions, “he continued to illegally erect a massive multi-storey building, completely violating the property's strict zoning certificate.”
The City further alleges that the structure was erected without approved building plans and has become a safety hazard.
“The unauthorised structure was built entirely without approved building plans,” Monama said, adding that the building is “riddled with illegal electricity connections that pose a severe fire hazard and poses an immediate danger of total structural failure.”
Monama also accused the developer of exploiting vulnerable residents for financial gain, saying his conduct had placed lives at risk while costing the municipality revenue.
“Asaba has long been a thorn in the City's side,” she said.
“His reckless conduct and predatory exploitation of vulnerable accommodation seekers for personal financial gain have placed numerous lives in extreme danger.”
The City of Tshwane said the ruling reinforces its enforcement stance against illegal developments.
“This judgment sends an unambiguous message to all rogue developers: if you build illegally in Tshwane, we will take you to court, and we will demolish your structures,” Monama said.
Officials confirmed that further legal action is underway against other properties linked to Asaba. The City said it has already carried out one demolition at a non-compliant site and plans to continue enforcement operations.
“This successful court order is just the beginning,” Monama said. “Several more of Mr. Asaba's illegal properties have already been referred to the courts.”
The municipality added that additional sites are already lined up for enforcement as it intensifies efforts to curb illegal construction across the metro.
IOL News