Latest news with #Germiston
Zawya
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Home Affairs Chairperson Calls for Prosecution Against Those Responsible for Germiston Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Fire
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Mr Mosa Chabane, has learned with despair of the fire at the Department of Home Affairs' Germiston office. Mr Chabane called for a speedy investigation that will lead to prosecution, as the damage is not only infrastructural but will impact negatively on users' ability to access home affairs services. 'The burning of public infrastructure during a protest is regressive and robs citizens of accessing the necessary services from the DHA. This trend also puts more pressure on an already stretched fiscus as more resources would have to be found to establish a new office,' Mr Chabane said. The South African Police Service must move with speed to investigate and arrest whoever is involved in the incident. 'The South African Constitution recognises and protects the right to protest, but that must be done within the confines of the law. The lawlessness that resulted in the burning of the DHA office must not be tolerated,' Mr Chabane emphasised. Meanwhile, the Chairperson welcomed the swift action by the DHA in making available mobile trucks to ensure that innocent clients are not deprived of DHA services while investigations are underway. In addition, the activation of additional nearby offices will ensure that citizens who rely on the Germiston offices are not adversely affected. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
The Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald
'Special day' in store for couple after home affairs fire ruins wedding plans
Home affairs minister Leon Schreiber has promised to make it up to a couple who were supposed to get married at the home affairs office in Germiston, Ekurhuleni, on Tuesday, after their plans were ruined by a fire. The home office was set on fire during a protest linked to the evictions for nonpayment of rentals at the Paroe Park residential complex, leading to the temporary closure of the office. Promise Nobele, 32, and Nthabiseng Simelane, 29, secured the date to register their marriage two months ago. They have been together for 12 years and are married traditionally but were left disappointed when they arrived to find the home affairs building on fire. 'I feel very sad because it's also my birthday,' Simelane said. 'This was supposed to be a very good day for us. We married last year traditionally, and we were looking forward to this. It's heartbreaking. Unfortunately all that we have planned will have to be postponed.' The news sparked reactions from social media users, with many calling for Schreiber to intervene, while others saw the incident as a 'sign' for the couple not to get married. Taking to X, Schreiber said his department would ensure the couple receives 'the special day they deserve'. 'The team is on it and working to find their contact details,' he said. 'This is a heartbreaking infringement on their dignity on their most beautiful day — and on her birthday nogal [on top of that]. We will do everything we can to find them and give them the special day they deserve.'
News24
2 days ago
- News24
Second round of evictions under way at Germiston's Pharoe Park flats
Officials are continuing evictions at the City of Ekurhuleni-owned Pharoe Park flats in Germiston, where many people are allegedly unlawfully occupying homes. 'Where we are now is 440 units designed for rental stock. So anyone who occupies here has to pay rental,' said MMC for Human Settlements Kgopelo Hollo. He said the building has an income threshold of R14 000, but many are not even listed as owners and are not meant to be on the property. Hollo claims alternative accommodation has been provided at the city hall. An eviction order was granted in June, which the residents were aware of, he added. This is the second round of evictions after many were removed from the Pharoe Park flats on Tuesday, leading to two people being arrested after they allegedly set a Home Affairs office in Germiston alight. The roof of the building collapsed, leaving many without services.
News24
3 days ago
- News24
Displaced Germiston residents look for shelter after evictions
Residents living in a block of apartments in Germiston were evicted for allegedly failing to pay rent.
The Herald
3 days ago
- The Herald
Evictions, a missed wedding and IDs up in flames in Germiston
Two people were arrested for arson and rubber bullets were fired to disperse demonstrators in Germiston on Tuesday as police and Ekurhuleni metro police officers responded to a protest over evictions. Firefighters are battling a fire at the home affairs building in the city centre. Gauteng deputy police commissioner Maj-Gen Fred Kekana was on the scene and confirmed the arrests. Officials from Ekurhuleni Housing Company have started evictions at the Pharoe Park residential complex. Trucks are being loaded with residents' belongings. Pillows, beds, electronics, cupboards and sofas and small items are scattered outside the complex. Some residents initially resisted the eviction, with SAPS and metro police responding by firing rubber bullets. Most of the residents in the area ran out of the complex after the commotion. Some people outside the home affairs building said they had travelled far to collect their documents. Anna Molefe from Vosloorus said she left home at 5am on Tuesday. ' When we arrived this morning [the building] was burning and we couldn't get an answer about what was happening. Will we get our ID documents or have they been burned in the fire?' A couple who were supposed to get married at home affairs this morning were disappointed that a date secured two months ago could not be used due to the fire. Promise Nozibele, 32, and Nthabiseng Simelane, 29, were relieved when a home affairs official told them he would arrange with the nearest office for them to get married. The couple, who had been together for the past 12 years, were married in a traditional wedding last November. On Tuesday, as it is Simelane's birthday, the couple took their parents with them to witness their marriage, but arrived to find the building on fire. 'I'm out of words. First, we had planned for this day. We made reservations and now this is happening,' said Similane. She said they made their booking in June, about two months ago.
