Tshwane, 23 July 2008: Tshwane (formerly Pretoria) Mayor Dr Gwen Ramokgopa expressed regret for the death of six people during a mass eviction of rent defaulters in council-owned apartments. The mayor told reporters that the action taken by the council was legal but also admitted that some resistance was anticipated. 'We knew that there was going to be resistance and that there would be risks, especially as there are known criminal elements among the tenants. We just did not expect the extent of the resistance,' she added.

The tragic deaths at the Schubart Park eviction site in Tshwane were entirely avoidable, said the SA Times in an editorial. The deaths occurred when terrified residents at the nearby Kruger Park building jumped to flee flames. The tragedy was the result of a fire started by angry demonstrators as the council’s eviction force - the red ants - in their red overalls forcibly removed residents. Six people died and the building was ablaze for more than 12 hours. The red ants had achieved their aim, but at tremendous cost. The council was supposed to find alternative accommodation for the building’s residents.
When it became apparent that they would be on the street with their families in mid-winter, they dug their heels in. Instead of reading the situation properly and withdrawing to negotiate with the protestors, the red ants moved in and turned peaceful protestors into a mob.