The national government says Johannesburg’s inner city is central to a broader renewal drive that aims to cut waste, restore state buildings and unlock growth. Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson said the plan combines investment in urban infrastructure with action against hijacked and illegally occupied properties.

Speaking during a visit to the new Johannesburg Deeds Office construction site, Macpherson said government wants to reduce its dependence on leased buildings and redirect that spending into state-owned infrastructure. He said this approach could help drive inclusive growth and job creation in inner-city areas such as Johannesburg.

1,600 State Properties Marked for Disposal

Macpherson said the department has identified at least 1,600 government buildings and properties for disposal because they do not form part of its core mission. According to him, the state owns more than 88,000 buildings and 5 million hectares of land, which he argued is far beyond what government needs to hold.

He also said the state’s leasing bill costs more than R500 billion a year. The department’s position is that trimming non-core properties could free up money for public infrastructure and long-term accommodation owned by the state itself.

Macpherson added that illegal occupation cannot be ignored where people are living in government-owned buildings unlawfully. His remarks come shortly after he authorised court proceedings against three former MK Party MPs accused of unlawfully occupying Parliamentary village properties in Cape Town.

R769 Million Deeds Office Project Nears Completion

A major part of the department’s Johannesburg plan is the new R769 million Deeds Office building in the inner city. Macpherson described it as the first government-led high-rise project in Johannesburg in the past 20 years. He said the building is now 78% complete and could serve as a model for similar projects across South Africa.

Makaziwe Ntuli, speaking on behalf of the Johannesburg Deeds Office, welcomed the development and said the office would soon have a permanent home for its records.