Ekurhuleni EMS describes Germiston apartment block blaze after alleged arson attack
The blaze at a fire at the Germiston Home Affairs office, was reportedly set alight by protesters amid growing tensions over evictions at a building in the CBD.
The Red Ants removing the belongings of residents occupying a block of apartments from their homes in the Germiston CBD on 12 August 2025. Picture: Thandoluhle Ngcobo/Eyewitness News
William Ntladi of the Ekurhuleni EMS joins Mandy Wiener.
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The Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schrieber, states his department is collecting evidence and has initiated a criminal case against those responsible for an alleged arson attack in Germiston on Tuesday.
The fire was set at a block of flats and then spread to a neighbouring Home Affairs office. 'It is nothing less than an attack on our social infrastructure and cannot stand' wrote Schriber on X.
"No fatalities, no casualties."
William Ntladi, Spokesperson - Ekurhuleni EMS
"We are busy with dampening down, cooling off the hotspot, but the fire is reasonably extinguished."
William Ntladi, Spokesperson - Ekurhuleni EMS
"The top section is completely burned up, but the ground floor we have salvaged the furniture and some documents, there's no fire damage on the ground floor."
William Ntladi, Spokesperson - Ekurhuleni EMS
The Sowetan reports that the building was set alight by residents of a block of flats who're facing eviction after racking up some R200m in rental debt.
On Tuesday morning, the Red Ants began removing the occupants' belongings from the property.
The City of Ekurhuleni said it obtained an eviction order in June to remove the people for failure to pay.
The City claims the occupants were sent notices on time to leave the premises.
Residents occupying a block of apartments in the Germiston CBD are being evicted for allegedly failing to pay rent.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) August 12, 2025
The red ants have been removing belongings of the occupants this morning from their homes. TN pic.twitter.com/qZfukqf3dZ