The South African government currently has 1 259 vacant land parcels: 207 unoccupied houses and 830 abandoned farms on its balance sheet. The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson says his department has implemented several initiatives to address the issue of the government's vacant land.

VACANT LAND

Macpherson said last year, the state spent R65 million on rates and taxes on these properties. "The Department of Public Works now intends to lease these properties to the public, with 31 properties ready for lease scattered across the country already available for the public," he said. "Just on the 31 properties, we estimate that we're going to generate R10 billion worth of private sector investment, to generate 165 000 jobs ?" 40 000 jobs just in the construction industry. And to generate R200 million a year for the state," he added.

INVASION

When asked about specific allocation timelines for these properties, Macpherson expressed security concerns. "Due to vacant properties being at risk of invasion should their details be made public," he said. "I am open to discussing this matter further with the member in my office in Cape Town. The estimated potential revenue lost in the 2024/2025 financial year amounts to R83 million, based on calculations from the Property Management Information System (PMIS) regarding holding costs." He concluded that the government had spent R65 million on rates and taxes for these properties as of 31 January 2025.