The Tshwane metro is working to provide support to families displaced after a fire destroyed about 100 shacks in the informal settlement next to the Centurion taxi rank on July 25.

The blaze, which broke out after 22:30, left dozens of families without shelter at a settlement that is already subject to a Pretoria High Court eviction order following nearly nine years of legal proceedings.

Tshwane Emergency Services Department spokesperson Nana Radebe-Kgiba said the metro responded to the incident after the emergency communication centre received reports of the fire.

She said firefighters from nearby stations arrived to find multiple shacks engulfed in flames and immediately launched firefighting operations to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring structures.

“Through the swift and co-ordinated efforts of the firefighting crews, the fire was successfully brought under control and extinguished,” she said.

She confirmed that one person sustained minor injuries and was treated on scene by emergency medical personnel. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported.

Radebe-Kgiba told Rekord that approximately 100 shacks were destroyed by the fire.

Although residents initially reported that about five people were feared to be missing, she confirmed that everyone had been accounted for and there were no reports of any missing persons.

“Following the fire, the city’s Disaster Risk Management Division conducted assessments and began assisting displaced families.”

Radebe-Kgiba said the city would continue working with all relevant stakeholders to ensure affected residents receive the necessary support.

She added that, due to the extent of the damage, the cause of the fire is still unknown.

“Residents are urged to remain vigilant during the winter months and to follow fire safety guidelines to reduce the risk of preventable fires. They can report fire or rescue emergencies by calling 107 toll-free or 012 358 6300 or 012 358 6400.”

The fire occurred less than a month after the Pretoria High Court granted the metro a final eviction order against the unlawful occupiers of the municipal land.

The order, granted on June 29 following nearly nine years of legal proceedings, requires the occupiers to vacate the property before the end of the month. Should they fail to comply with the court order, the eviction may be enforced by the Sheriff of the Court, with the assistance of SAPS.

Following the court ruling, MMC for Corporate and Shared Services Flora Monama said the enforcement process would include recording the identities of the occupiers and demolishing the unauthorised structures.

Monama also revealed that a site inspection conducted in 2024, followed by human settlements assessments in early 2025, identified 131 informal shacks on the site.

With approximately 100 shacks destroyed in Saturday night’s fire, a significant portion of the settlement has now been affected as the eviction process remains underway.

At the time of the ruling, Ward 78 councillor Peter Sutton described the judgment as the culmination of nearly a decade of legal proceedings.

“This marks the conclusion of a nine-year effort to resolve the matter,” Sutton said.

He added that the next step would be implementing the court order so the land could be unlocked for future development.

The municipality has previously said the property forms part of a strategic development area within the Centurion CBD and is earmarked for the proposed African Gateway Precinct, which includes the planned Tshwane International Convention Centre and mixed-use commercial developments.

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