Authorities in the City of Tshwane have begun demolishing two illegally constructed high-rise buildings owned by Nigerian property developer George Asaba, following multiple court rulings that declared the structures unsafe and in breach of municipal regulations.
The demolition, which began this week, follows a March 2025 ruling by the Gauteng High Court ordering the removal of the buildings on Luttig Street in Pretoria West. The court found that Asaba had failed to submit approved building plans and that the buildings posed serious safety and health risks, violating both zoning and construction laws.
Despite filing an appeal, Asaba’s case was dismissed in April, with the court affirming the City’s right to act. He was also held in contempt of court for defying a July 16, 2024, court order to halt construction on the properties.
City officials confirmed that Asaba will be responsible for the full cost of the demolition.
Kholofelo Morodi, the City’s Member of the Mayoral Committee for Corporate and Shared Services, welcomed the ruling, calling it a major step forward in reclaiming urban spaces from illegal developments.
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“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,” Morodi said.
She emphasised that illegal buildings, land invasions, and property hijackings have long disrupted service delivery and public safety in Tshwane, promising that the city’s multiparty coalition government would intensify enforcement against violators.
Court documents showed that Asaba admitted to commencing construction in June 2023 without formal approval but claimed that his architect had submitted the necessary plans. The court rejected this explanation, finding that he had clearly flouted established legal procedures and tried to justify his actions with a pending rezoning application.
The City of Tshwane confirmed that the demolition is part of a broader clampdown on unlawful structures across the municipality, with more enforcement actions expected in the coming months.
