Joburg inner city renewal: ‘Targeting hijacked buildings’

MINISTER of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has disclosed that his department is poised to dispose of over 1 600 government buildings and properties.

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE

This revelation comes as part of a broader strategy aimed at reducing the costs associated with leasing properties, a bill that the minister said amounts to more than R500 billion annually.

During his visit to the new R769 million Johannesburg Deeds Office construction site, located in the heart of the city, Macpherson expressed the government's commitment to investing in urban revitalisation programmes while also tackling the issue of dilapidated and hijacked buildings.

He noted that while the department is eager to repair and invest in innercity areas, it is also identifying assets that do not contribute to its core mission, adding that this is about striking a balance between saving and investing in key programmes and infrastructure.