The City of Tshwane in South Africa has begun the demolition of two high-rise buildings owned by Nigerian property developer, George Asaba, after several court rulings declared the structures illegal and dangerous.
The buildings, located on Luttig Street in Pretoria West, were found to have been constructed without approved building plans, in violation of city safety and zoning regulations. A March 2025 ruling by the Gauteng High Court ordered the structures to be brought down, calling them unsafe, a public health hazard, and built-in total disregard for the law.
Asaba, who admitted in court papers that construction began in June 2023, claimed that his architect had submitted the necessary plans. However, the court dismissed his explanation, stating that there was no evidence to back his claim and that he had ignored clear legal orders.
His appeal against the demolition was dismissed in April, with the court affirming the City’s authority to act on the matter. Furthermore, Asaba was held in contempt of court for continuing construction even after a July 16, 2024, court order explicitly ordered him to stop all work on the buildings.
City officials said the developer would bear the full cost of the demolition.
Speaking on the matter, Kholofelo Morodi, Tshwane’s Member of the Mayoral Committee for Corporate and Shared Services, described the court’s ruling and the ongoing demolition as a major step in the city’s fight against unlawful developments.
“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 stressed that illegal developments, land grabs, and hijacked properties had become a major threat to urban planning and public safety in the city. She warned that the city’s multiparty coalition government would continue to identify and act against illegal structures, promising that Asaba’s case would not be the last.
The demolition of Asaba’s properties is part of a larger campaign by the City of Tshwane to clamp down on unauthorized buildings and developments that fail to meet legal and safety standards.
Over the years, South African cities like Johannesburg, Durban, and Tshwane have been battling with property developers and landlords who put up buildings without following the proper procedures. These illegal developments often lack basic infrastructure, fire safety precautions, and pose a serious risk to occupants and neighbors.
Asaba’s case has attracted attention not just because of his nationality, but also because of the scale of the structures. The buildings were large residential complexes that stood out in the Pretoria West area. Residents and community groups had raised concerns about the rapid pace of construction and the lack of transparency surrounding the project.
Court documents revealed that the municipality had issued multiple warnings and stop-work notices, all of which were ignored. By the time the matter reached court, the buildings were already several floors high.
The court ruled that Asaba had deliberately defied orders, choosing to continue construction in the hope that a pending rezoning application would protect the buildings. The judges said that was not a valid excuse, emphasizing that zoning must be approved before construction starts—not afterward.
The City of Tshwane confirmed that all costs related to the demolition will be charged to Asaba. Officials said this includes labor, equipment, and any necessary safety measures taken during the process.
City authorities have also promised to hold other developers accountable. “This is just the beginning,” said a city spokesperson. “We have identified several other buildings that are being constructed without approval. We will not tolerate this kind of lawlessness.”
Asaba’s case is likely to be closely watched by other Nigerian and foreign investors in South Africa’s real estate sector. While many Nigerians have successfully invested in property across the country, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of following local laws and building regulations.
