The Pretoria High Court has ruled in favor of the City of Tshwane, granting permission to evict all unlawful occupants from the fire-ravaged Melgisedek Building in Riviera, Pretoria. The decision removes the final legal barrier and allows the city to proceed with the demolition of the long-standing hijacked structure, which has been a source of urban decay and safety concerns for approximately two decades.
The ruling supports the city’s broader initiative to reclaim control over government-owned properties, address hijacked and abandoned buildings, and restore order in the inner city. Kholofelo Morodi, the MMC for Corporate and Shared Services and Chairperson of the Bad Buildings Committee, described the judgment as a critical step in safeguarding human life.
The Melgisedek Building has a troubled history, marked by illegal occupation, lack of basic services, and repeated incidents of fire. There is no running water, electricity, or sanitation in the structure, leading to severe health risks including rodents, disease, and social problems such as drug use and prostitution. A recent stabbing death has occurred on the premises, and multiple fires have broken out over the years—exacerbated in winter—due to occupants using open flames for cooking in the absence of electricity. A recent fire resulted in several people being hospitalized.
The building has been deemed a serious humanitarian crisis and a “death threat” by city officials, with concerns that it could collapse at any time. The court order emphasizes the need to prevent loss of life amid these hazardous conditions.
As part of the court’s requirements, the city must relocate the occupants before demolition. Morodi explained that authorities have identified a temporary relocation site approximately 2.5 km away. The site, consisting of land rather than a permanent building, will feature fenced security, running water, chemical toilets, and psychosocial support services. Temporary structures similar to those used in other relocation efforts will be provided.
Morodi clarified that local government is not responsible for permanent housing, which falls under provincial competency. The relocation is a temporary safety measure to evacuate people from the unsafe building. The city plans to engage provincial and national governments to facilitate permanent solutions, such as RDP houses, noting that many occupants had cited waiting for promised government housing as a reason for initially occupying the building.
The Bad Buildings Committee, a mayoral sub-committee chaired by Morodi, was established to drive inner-city rejuvenation. It targets hijacked, abandoned, and dilapidated buildings while addressing the shortage of low-cost housing and student accommodation—issues particularly acute in Tshwane due to its large university student population.
In phase one, the committee identified 33 buildings, some municipally owned and others underutilized or abandoned by previous administrations. For municipal properties, the city is actively marketing them to the private sector through long-term leases rather than sales, to retain public assets while encouraging investment and profit for partners.
Under this model, private entities receive 50-year leases, pay monthly fees (for example, around R117,000 at 7% for certain properties), cover utilities and taxes, and benefit from a two-year rent-free period to renovate dilapidated structures. Usage is guided by a highest-and-best-use approach, with some buildings prioritized for low-cost housing, student accommodation, or commercial purposes depending on zoning and location.
Several buildings have already been placed on the market, with interest from private investors and universities. The city has reclaimed some properties and continues to advance this program to tackle urban decay and housing pressures.
The eviction and demolition of the Melgisedek Building represent a significant milestone in these efforts, though the process highlights ongoing challenges in coordinating housing solutions across government spheres.