Pharoe Park Evictions: 13% Avoid Removal Amid Rent Dispute

Only 13% of Pharoe Park residents managed to avoid eviction, leaving many out in the cold, as the Ekurhuleni municipality continues with removals.

The municipality says residents were warned about the evictions but chose to ignore the notices.

Many residents slept outside with no alternative accommodation, claiming they were never formally notified.

Residents say they are meeting with legal advisors to explore their options. They insist the houses are RDP homes, pointing out that Department of Human Settlements records list them as housing beneficiaries.

However, Ekurhuleni Human Settlements MMC Kgopolo Hollo, speaking to Newzroom Afrika, disputed this. He said the units were built to generate revenue for the municipality. He clarified that they are rental houses, not RDP houses.

The resident insisted she had not defaulted on her lease and argued that it would be impossible to avoid payment at Pharoe Park.

Some evicted residents say officials accused them of being undocumented immigrants or failing to pay rent. One woman displayed both her South African ID and her lease agreement on live television to prove she is a legal tenant.

“Because when you enter here for the first time, when you go to your unit, our office gives you permit. You produce it by security to enter here. So we don’t know who evaded? We don’t know what they are talking about,” she said.

The municipality maintains that those who paid their rent were not evicted.

“We have got 440 units there. Out of 440, we have got 57 tenants who are compliant and paying their rent. All 383 units we can not account for at all,” said MMC Hollo

The municipality claims residents collectively owe millions of rands in unpaid rent.

According to Hollo, the problem dates back to 2016.

“Every quarter we would get a report that Ekurhuleni housing company has a revenue shortfall. That’s because those entered into an agreement with the entity they just chose not to pay anymore,” he said.

Previous Disconnection Attempts Led to Protests

Hollo said that in April 2024, officials visited several flats, including Pharoe Park. In March 2025, the municipality attempted to disconnect services in some units, which led to a protest outside council offices.

The MMC says attempts to engage with residents failed, prompting the municipality to approach the courts.

The municipality says it has offered unemployed residents the chance to apply for RDP houses.

Link Between Evictions and Arson at Germiston Home Affairs

Authorities suspect protesters set fire to the Germiston Home Affairs building in response to the evictions. Police arrested two suspects, and the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs said officials have opened cases of malicious damage to property and arson.