‘Hijacked’ Ekurhuleni Housing Complex Owes R125m As Mass Evictions Begin

Tenants living at Airport Park Phase 2, a municipal housing complex in Germiston, owe a staggering R85 million in unpaid rent, with a further R40 million outstanding in rates and taxes.

The property is owned by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and managed by the Ekurhuleni Housing Company (EHC). According to EHC chief operating officer Zingisani Nkamana, rental payments at the complex effectively stopped in 2020 following the alleged hijacking of the property.

Nkamana said some residents ceased paying rent, while others moved in illegally during the period of unlawful occupation.

Court Orders Evictions At Hijacked Germiston Complex

Nkamana was speaking after hundreds of occupants were evicted on Monday as part of a court-sanctioned operation aimed at dealing with unlawful occupation at Airport Park.

The complex forms part of five housing developments in Germiston under EHC’s management, alongside Pharoah Park, Delville, Chris Hani and Delville Ext 9.

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“Historically Pharoah Park, Airport Park and Delville — which we call PAD — complexes have been hijacked by unlawful occupants who had taken over the property and not paying rentals and rates and taxes that are due,” Nkamana said.

“We had to go to court to seek an eviction order. We got the eviction order for Pharoah Park in June 2025 and executed it in August. Subsequent to that we got another eviction for Airport Park which we got in September.

“However, the unlawful occupants challenged it but in November the court refused it, giving the residents two months to move out or make arrangements to pay.”

Airport Park consists of about 300 units, with 278 households affected by the eviction process.

Residents Dispute Arrears As Housing Company Warns Of Collapse

Nkamana said the financial strain caused by unpaid rentals has left the housing entity in a precarious position.

“The collective amount that is in arrears owed by the unlawful occupants is about R85m. As the entity we owe the City of Ekurhuleni R46m in municipal services for the same property because if tenants don’t pay their rentals or services it becomes difficult for the entity to pay to the City. These problems go as far back as 2020. The entity is really at the brink of collapse, hence we are taking these actions,” he said.

Some residents, however, have disputed claims of long-term non-payment. One tenant said he moved into the unit in 2024 and paid rent until July 2025, when eviction notices were issued.

“I was confused about whether I should continue paying rent or not because we were told all of us would be thrown out,” he said.

He added that after the lease was transferred into his name, he was told he owed money dating back to periods before he occupied the unit.

“I went to the office on several occasions to have the unit changed into my name but it never did, so that is how I found myself subject to this eviction. I have not paid rent and taxes since August,” the resident said.

Another tenant said she lost her job during the Covid-19 pandemic and could no longer afford rent.

“This is my home, I have nowhere else to go now. The housing company could at least provide us with an alternative accommodation until we figure out where to from here. Our children are at school and it’s before month end to get some grant money.”

Another woman said she paid rent to the person who held the lease and was unaware of any arrears.

Nkamana said EHC is not responsible for providing alternative accommodation for evicted residents, placing that responsibility on the City of Ekurhuleni.

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