George Asaba’s Pretoria West Flats Set for Demolition After Court Victory for Tshwane

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27-05-2026
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Central News
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Pretoria – Tenants at George Asaba’s flats in Pretoria West in Tshwane may soon find themselves without accommodation. The High Court in Pretoria has ruled in favour of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality to demolish an illegally constructed four-storey building in Proclamation Hill, west of the city.

The judgment, handed down recently, gives the municipality the green light to evict all occupants and tear down the entire structure. For the people living there – many of them students – the news brings uncertainty and worry about where they will go next. City officials say the move is necessary to protect public safety and enforce basic planning rules that everyone must follow.

Property Built Without Plans on Land Zoned for One House Only

The building at 47 Arcadia Avenue in Proclamation Hill was supposed to be nothing more than a single dwelling house according to the area’s zoning rules. Instead, property developer George Asaba and his company, Gabsa Consolidated Prop (Pty) Ltd, turned it into a four-storey block with multiple flats. No building plans were ever approved by the municipality.

Construction went ahead despite repeated stop-work notices from city inspectors. Officials say the developer simply ignored the warnings and kept building. The structure was later turned into informal student accommodation, with reports suggesting up to 40 rooms being rented out. This kind of unplanned development puts extra strain on water, electricity and roads in an area never designed for so many people.

Court Grants Final Interdict, Eviction and Demolition Order

The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has now issued a final interdict against Asaba and his company. The order not only stops any further work but also authorises the City of Tshwane to evict everyone living in the building and carry out full demolition. The developer has been ordered to pay all the costs of removing the illegal structures.

This is not the first time Asaba has faced legal trouble. The city has been tracking several of his properties in Pretoria West, and one other building linked to him has already been demolished after similar violations. Officials say eight more sites connected to the same developer are still under investigation and could face court action soon.

Serious Safety Risks Prompted Strong Action

City leaders have highlighted major safety problems inside the building. Illegal electricity connections were installed without following national building regulations, creating a high risk of fire. There are also concerns about the structure itself – poor foundations and shoddy work could lead to a collapse, putting lives in danger.

Tshwane’s MMC for corporate and shared services, Cllr Flora Monama, welcomed the court win, saying the unauthorised structure was built entirely without approved plans and was “riddled with illegal connections”. Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya has described the ruling as part of a firm crackdown on rogue developers who put profit before people’s safety. The city says it will not tolerate buildings that become slums or threaten the community.

Tenants Face Uncertain Future as Eviction Looms

Many of the people living in the flats are students who moved in because the rent was affordable. For them, the court order means they must leave within the next 30 days. The municipality has made it clear it is not required to provide alternative accommodation in cases like this, because the building was never legally approved in the first place.

Tenants now face the stressful task of finding new places to stay while exams or studies continue. Some families who had made the building their home are also worried about where they will sleep once the bulldozers arrive. Community workers say they are already receiving calls from worried residents looking for advice on their rights and possible help.

Part of a Wider Drive to Clean Up Illegal Construction in Tshwane

This latest court victory fits into a bigger effort by the City of Tshwane to tackle illegal building across the metro. Officials have stepped up bylaw enforcement operations in recent months, especially in areas like Pretoria West where rapid, unplanned growth has created problems with traffic, services and safety.

The city says it acts only after giving owners every chance to fix issues or apply for proper approval. When developers ignore the law and put lives at risk, the municipality has no choice but to go to court. Asaba’s case has become a clear example of what happens when rules are broken repeatedly.

What Happens Next for the Proclamation Hill Site

With the court order now in hand, the City of Tshwane can move quickly to clear the site. Demolition is expected to begin once the eviction period ends, and the land will eventually be restored to its original state or used only for what the zoning allows.

For George Asaba and his company, the ruling means more than just losing one building – it sends a strong message that the city is serious about stopping illegal developments. The developer still has the right to appeal, but the final interdict makes it much harder to delay the process.

As the story unfolds in Pretoria West, residents and students in the area are watching closely. The case highlights the difficult balance between providing much-needed housing and making sure every building meets basic safety and planning standards. For now, the focus remains on clearing the illegal structure safely and making sure no one is left in danger while the city continues its work to keep Tshwane’s suburbs safe and well-planned.