More than 450 occupants of the abandoned Melgisedek premise near Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria face eviction following an urgent court order granted to the metro.

The ruling on March 3 has triggered plans to relocate residents to temporary accommodation, but human rights lawyers representing the occupants have already indicated they will appeal the decision on March 6.

The dispute centres on the deteriorating condition of the building, which court documents show has been declared uninhabitable multiple times over the past two decades.

The metro argued that recent fires and structural decay have created an immediate danger to life, necessitating urgent action to evacuate residents from the building.

In the High Court proceedings earlier this week, the metro also maintained that the building poses a serious health and safety risk to residents.

According to documents presented to the court, the property has been without basic services for years and has progressively deteriorated since it was first unlawfully occupied in 2003.

The metro argued that these conditions place both the occupants and the surrounding community at risk.

Court records show human rights lawyer advocate Malebogo Mashishi, representing the occupants, raised concerns about the lack of clarity regarding relocation arrangements.

Mashishi told the court that while the safety concerns were acknowledged, there was insufficient detail about where residents would go and what support would be available to them.

Despite these concerns, the court granted the eviction order, noting that the risk to residents could no longer be ignored.

Judge John Holland-Muter emphasised the severity of the health risks associated with the building’s condition in his ruling.

The Melgisedek building has long been a concern for municipal authorities.

The situation escalated recently after two fires broke out in the building last month, leaving two people injured and prompting the metro to approach the court on an urgent basis.

According to metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, the municipality has already begun preparations for relocating the residents.

“An alternative site has been identified for the occupants,” Mashigo said.

He explained that vulnerable individuals such as children, elderly residents and people with disabilities would be accommodated in shelters across the city.

For the remaining occupants, the metro plans to establish a temporary site with basic services.

“The city has identified a vacant site in Region 3 that will be fenced off with rudimentary services and water provided on-site,” Mashigo explained.

An organisation will also be appointed to manage the relocation site and provide support services to residents.

“An NPO will be appointed to oversee the management of the site and provide basics in line with the required services for shelters,” he said.

Mashigo added that the residents would be allowed to remain at the temporary site for up to six months.

Temporary infrastructure at the site will include tents, portable sanitation and water access.

“The relocation will be on the operational budget of the city,” Mashigo said.

“Sanitation will be provided through moving toilets and showers until the city is able to erect temporary structures on site.”

He added that the municipality would use its own stock of tents to house residents during the initial relocation phase.

“The city has its own tents to be used on a temporary basis,” he said.

Mashigo said the urgency of the eviction was driven by recent developments at the building.

“The city did not have reasons to place the case on the urgent roll until the recent fire,” he said. “The further deterioration of the buildings was also used to motivate the urgency.”

Questions remain about what will happen to the residents once the six-month temporary relocation period ends. Mashigo said that long-term housing falls outside the city’s direct responsibility.

“The question on housing can be directed to the provincial and national government,” he said.

ALSO READ: 

• Melgisedek demolition begins as occupants served eviction notices
• Melgisedek building fire aftermath raises concerns

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