By AGISANANG SCUFF
14 August 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs said it has learned with despair of the fire at the Department of Home Affairs’ Germiston office. The Committee called for a speedy investigation that will lead to prosecution, as the damage is not only infrastructural, but will negatively impact users’ ability to access home affairs services.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Mosa Chabane said: “The burning of public infrastructure during a protest is regressive and robs citizens of accessing the necessary services from the DHA.
“This trend also puts more pressure on an already stretched fiscus as more resources would have to be found to establish a new office.”
Chabane further said the South African Police Service (SAPS) must move with speed to investigate and arrest whoever is involved in the incident. He added that the South African Constitution recognises and protects the right to protest, but that must be done within the confines of the law.
“The lawlessness that resulted in the burning of the DHA office must not be tolerated. We welcome the swift action by the DHA in making available mobile trucks to ensure that innocent clients are not deprived of DHA services while investigations are underway.
“In addition, the activation of additional nearby offices will ensure that citizens who rely on the Germiston offices are not adversely affected,” said Chabane.
The Guardian 