The South African High Commission building in London’s Trafalgar Square has closed without notice this week after decades of poor maintenance left the historic property uninhabitable.

South Africa House, one of the country’s most prestigious foreign properties, has been rendered unusable due to intermittent water supply, broken heating systems, a persistent smell of urine in many rooms, and a deteriorating façade and entrance, according to a statement from Democratic Alliance MP Ryan Smith.

Repairs to the building are expected to cost just under R70 million.

Not only is South Africa House an iconic South African property, but set on London’s renowned Trafalgar Square, it is also a landmark of Britian’s capital.

The closure will impact thousands of South Africans living in the United Kingdom who rely on the High Commission for consular services. However, the dedicated Home Affairs and consular section, located separately at 15 Whitehall in London, may continue to operate.

South Africans requiring urgent assistance are advised to contact the High Commission on +44 (0)20 7451 7299 or monitor the official website at dirco.gov.za/uk for updates on service availability.

The building’s closure follows a pattern of deteriorating South African diplomatic properties abroad. The South African Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands, has been closed for nearly a year for repairs, but no scaffolding has been erected and no workers have accessed the premises since its closure, according to the DA.

The Auditor General’s 2024/25 Budgetary Review and Recommendations Report stated that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s audit outcome had regressed due to mismanagement of foreign assets which had rendered properties “uninhabitable”.

Smith said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation had allowed the building to fall into disrepair through lack of regular maintenance. He criticised the department for prioritising international litigation and humanitarian aid to countries such as Cuba whilst neglecting the upkeep of diplomatic buildings.

South Africa House has occupied a prime location on Trafalgar Square since 1923. The building serves as the official residence of the South African High Commissioner and houses administrative offices for diplomatic staff.

The department has not yet issued a statement on when South Africa House will reopen or where alternative services will be provided to South African citizens in the interim.