The City of Tshwane has begun pulling down high-rise complexes belonging to Nigerian property developer, George Asaba, after several court rulings declared the buildings unlawful.
The Gauteng High Court had in March ordered the demolition of the structures on Luttig Street, Pretoria West, ruling that they were unsafe, a health hazard, and violated zoning and safety regulations. Asaba’s appeal was later dismissed in April, paving the way for the city to enforce the judgment.
City officials described the move as a decisive step in reclaiming urban spaces from unlawful developments. Kholofelo Morodi, the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Corporate and Shared Services, hailed the ruling as a “turning point” in Tshwane’s fight against illegal buildings, warning that no one is above the law.
She stressed that illegal buildings, land grabs, and property hijackings have long weakened service delivery, strained infrastructure, and put public safety at risk. According to her, the demolition sends a strong signal that the multiparty coalition government is determined to protect the city from opportunists.
The court also ruled that Asaba must cover all demolition costs. He was found in contempt of court for defying a July 2024 order that prohibited further construction. Despite admitting that he started the project in June 2023 without city approval, Asaba argued that his architect had submitted plans. The court dismissed this claim, stating he had blatantly ignored directives.
Tshwane authorities have now pledged to continue demolishing illegal structures across the city while urging residents to report unlawful developments in their neighborhoods.
