Hijacked buildings with a growing squatter camp in South Africa’s capital
The Melgisedek Buildings in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria, have become known for hijacked buildings and a growing squatter camp.
The Melgisedek Buildings are located less than a kilometer away from the Union Buildings, the official seat of the South African government.
It also houses the Office of the President, where he hosts heads of state and dignitaries. Having a respectable area close to the Union Buildings is therefore important.
In January 2024, the City of Tshwane Council approved the Tshwane Sustainable and Better Buildings Programme (TSBBP).
This programme aimed to drive inner-city regeneration by tackling derelict and illegally occupied buildings.
The city said this programme was based on lessons learnt from similar attempts in other metros, such as the City of Johannesburg.
The central business districts of these cities have seen a marked decline, with deteriorating infrastructure and a rise in crime.
“Negligent property owners, slumlords, and building-hijacking syndicates have taken advantage of desperate people,” the City of Tshwane said.
This situation resulted in the illegal occupation of buildings that leads to urban decay and poses a direct threat to human lives.
The City of Tshwane promised to take a proactive approach to tackle derelict buildings by either forcing the sale of the property through the courts or expropriating it.
“Any instances of illegal occupation will be swiftly dealt with by following due process within the boundaries of the law,” it said.
“Any building-hijacking syndicates or criminals will be identified, removed, and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
It said it would take full control of any derelict or illegally occupied buildings owned by the City of Tshwane.
The programme was set to be driven at the highest level by the City Manager and bring together all City departments to collaborate on this complex issue.
The infamous Melgisedek Building, close to Steve Biko Academic Hospital, was at the top of the City of Tshwane’s list.
“This is part of our commitment to building a healthy, vibrant city with economic opportunities for all,” it said.
Melgisedek Buildings a disaster
On 3 February 2026, the City of Tshwane Mayor, Nasiphi Moya, conducted an oversight visit to the Melgisedek Buildings in the Pretoria central business district.
This followed a fire the day before, where four people were hospitalised, and medical services were needed to assist the injured.
Moya explained that this was a city-owned property that’s been vacant for years and has become home to hundreds of homeless people.
“A fire broke out, leaving four people injured. To protect the occupants of this area, we will demolish this building.”
The city has applied for a court order seeking to finalise the relocation of the residents of this property.
“The city has found land that’s available as a safe alternative to the Megisedek property,” Moya said.
BusinessTech visited the Melgisedek Buildings and the surrounding area, and it was in a state of disrepair.
Apart from the occupied building, a squatter camp has developed around the building, and the area has become home to numerous vagrants.
The area’s traffic lights are overrun by beggars, making it dangerous for motorists and creating an unpleasant situation.
This is a cry from the government’s own description of the City of Tshwane as a globally competitive urban hub and a world-class cosmopolitan city.
The photos below come from a BusinessTech visit to the Melgisedek Buildings in February 2026.
Photos of the Melgisedek Buildings in Pretoria
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