Macpherson Orders Probe Into 6,238 State-Owned Homes Occupied by Government Officials as Disposal Plan Looms

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has launched a review of 6,238 state-owned residential properties occupied by government officials, questioning whether the government should continue maintaining such a large housing portfolio.

Macpherson has instructed Director-General Sifiso Mdakane to investigate the properties and develop a strategy for the possible disposal of residences that are no longer required for operational purposes.

The assessment will establish who occupies each property, the reasons for its allocation, whether it remains necessary, and whether it should be retained, repurposed or sold.

KwaZulu-Natal accounts for the largest share of the state's residential property portfolio, with 3,626 properties, followed by the Western Cape with 566 and Gauteng with 407.

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure recorded estimated expenditure of R39.6 million from its Day-to-Day Maintenance budget during the 2025/26 financial year. However, expenditure information is currently available for only 108 properties.