Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has mandated an investigation into 6,238 state-owned residential properties assigned to government officials nationwide.The directive, issued on July 21, 2026, targets properties in KwaZulu-Natal (3,626), the Western Cape (566), and Gauteng (407).The department allocated R39.6m for maintenance in 2025/2026, covering only 108 of over 6,000 properties.Director-General Sifiso Mdakane must submit a report within 30 days detailing occupancy, allocation reasons, and disposal options.The review will assess legal compliance, rental rates, fringe benefits, and surplus property management.

Macpherson emphasized that maintaining thousands of homes while officials receive housing benefits is unsustainable, advocating for selling properties without clear operational need to reduce costs and prioritize public infrastructure.