Department of Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala to investigate government officials defaulting on paying rent for state-owned properties
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala has noted with grave concern reports of government employees who are defaulting and refusing to pay rent on state-owned properties.
The Ministry is currently rolling out initiatives aimed at addressing challenges within the multi billion rand property portfolio and assets belonging to government.
This problem was first reported by the Public Works and Roads Department in the North West Province. The Minister has since ordered the Property and Asset Management Unit within the DPWI to conduct a comprehensive analysis on the occupation of state owned properties occupied by employees across all provinces and to establish if they are honouring their obligations and paying their rentals.
The report, once completed, will be presented to the MINMEC, a platform where the Minister meets with Provincial MECs responsible for Public Works and Infrastructure.
“We need to establish how widespread this problem is in the country. We take a dim view of such practices of non-payment and illegal occupation of government owned properties.
“The revenue from rentals is used for maintenance and renovations of such properties. As part of the in-depth investigations, we will work with provinces to establish how much is owed by individuals who are tenants in these properties, establish whether the occupants also include state employees, ascertain if they are the registered owners of the houses and investigate actions within the law that can be preferred against defaulting individuals or state employees. The team will also present on policy options including whether some cannot be sold to prevent vandalism and further illegal occupation,” said Minister Zikalala
Thamsanqa Mchunu
Director: Media and Stakeholder Relations
Tel: 012 402 1841
Cell: 079 519 6997
Email: Thamsanqa.mchunu@dpw.gov.za
