State-owned homes under scrutiny as Macpherson orders probe

Thousands of government-owned homes under review According to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the state owns 6 238 residential properties allocated to various user departments across South Africa.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has ordered an investigation into 6 238 state-owned residential properties allocated to government departments and occupied by government officials, saying properties that are no longer needed should be sold to reduce pressure on the public purse.“Selling properties that the state does not need will reduce unnecessary expenditure, generate value for the public and ensure that government focuses its limited resources on infrastructure and assets that directly support service delivery.