The City of Tshwane has begun demolishing two high-rise complexes owned by a Nigerian developer after court rulings declared them illegal.
The City of Tshwane has begun demolishing two high-rise buildings owned by Nigerian developer George Asaba after multiple court rulings declared them unlawful.
A March Gauteng High Court judgment found the Pretoria West complexes lacked approved building plans, calling them unsafe and in violation of zoning regulations.
Asaba’s appeal was dismissed in April, and he was later held in contempt for ignoring an order to halt construction. City officials confirmed he will bear the demolition costs.
Kholofelo Morodi, Tshwane’s MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, said: “This ruling is a turning point in the City’s efforts to reclaim urban spaces from unlawful developments and send a strong message that no one is above the law.”
The City vowed to continue demolitions as part of its campaign against illegal structures. Court documents show Asaba admitted starting construction in 2023 without approval, an argument judges rejected as a clear breach of court directives.