 (1).png){kind=spacer}
4 days ago
4
A petrol bomb allegedly caused a fire at the Home Affairs building in Germiston on Tuesday.
- A petrol bomb allegedly started a fire at a Home Affairs building in Germiston, Gauteng.
- The roof collapsed, with possible damage on the pivotal first floor where News24 understands officials keep important documents.
- Home Affairs said the office will remain closed.
A fire broke out at the home affairs building in Germiston, Gauteng, on Tuesday, allegedly after someone hurled a petrol bomb at the structure, causing the roof to collapse.
Protesting Pharoe Park residents were seen walking back to the flats from the nearby Home Affairs building after they had been evicted from the block of flats earlier.
They allegedly removed items like fridges and clothing from homes in Pharoe Park from people who they believe are foreign nationals.
City of Ekurhuleni disaster and emergency services spokesperson William Mogale Ntladi said preliminary information showed petrol bombs were thrown onto the building.
“But we will let law enforcement investigate.”
He added there was a community protest in the city centre earlier, but they had not established the reason as yet.
“That will be investigated.”
He said the top section of the two-storey building was alight and the roof collapsed while he was on the scene.
Firefighters were called in to douse the flames.
“We don’t know the extent of the damage for now, but there will be smoke and carbon emissions for now,” Ntladi said.
Home Affairs offices to remain closed
Home Affairs provincial manager Mamokubung Moroke said the offices will be shut down.
“We are aware that clients have been here since the morning to collect documents and make applications, but we do not have access to the building.
“We are still going to make an assessment on the extent of the damage, but at this point we don’t have much information.”
A petrol bomb allegedly caused a fire at the Home Affairs building in Germiston on Tuesday, causing the roof of the building to collapse.
Several people were evicted in Germiston on Tuesday morning.
Several people were evicted in Germiston on Tuesday morning.
Carol Hlatswayo said she lived in the flats for many years and that her eviction was difficult.
“This is very traumatising for my 12-year-old child. I am on temporary disability. This house is under my name. This situation is devastating. I don’t want to say government is failing us, but they need to look at housing matters with a keen eye.”
READ | Home Affairs breakthrough: Banking apps to offer ID, passport applications
An evicted student who did not want to be named said they felt overwhelmed by the evictions.
“This is insane. I knew about the eviction, I found out about it over the weekend. It was not enough time for me to pack. I packed a few things and thought they will give us a chance.
“Here in Germiston we have been trying to get rooms, but they are not available. Some are expensive and cannot afford them. We will see where we go to, but we don’t know. I have to attend school tomorrow [Wednesday].”
