KZN unlocks 10,000+ idle public properties to boost rural economic growth

An audit has revealed that the 10,067 properties managed by the KwaZulu-Natal’s Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) are underutilised or unutilised. 

The matter was debated at the KZN Legislature on Thursday on the need for improved economic opportunities in small rural towns. In July 2025, DPWI minister Dean Macpherson handed over properties in Nkandla to the local municipality to be used to unlock economic opportunities.

Martin Meyer, a DA-MPL, brought a motion to thank the department for buying into the province’s vision of making sure public properties are used for the good of the public and ensuring that the people of the province benefit irrespective of political party alliances. 

Meyer, who is also KZN's MEC for DPWI, said his department's mantra is: “If it belongs to the public, it should serve the public.

“The money used to pay the rates on these properties comes from the people and when these properties are not maintained, it costs the people,” he said. 

Meyer said that KZN DPWI established what it owns, where it is and what state it is in.

“We went there, took photos and captured it on our dashboard,” he said. 

Meyer said that in collaboration with a major cellphone provider, eight DPWI properties in rural uMkhanyakude were to be used for cell phone towers. Meyer said people can now phone for an ambulance, students can access online opportunities, that schools can connect and teach using online resources.

The department also released 11 parcels of agricultural land to KZN’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) which will now identify beneficiaries within Umzinyathi and uThukela to use for farming. The DPWI also released 81 properties to be put on the market for use.

“They will not just be sold to the highest bidder. We are looking at what they will be used for and will prioritise NGO’s, NPO’s and others who come with proposals that will benefit the surrounding community,” he said. 

uMzinyathi district councillor, Sibusiso Tau Mbatha, said this paves the way for the DARD to provide expert guidance on how the land will be utilised for agricultural purposes. He said this was a breakthrough because land remained underutilised due to red tape and poor coordination between departments. Tau urged the DARD to prioritise credible emerging farmers and community-based agricultural initiatives across Endumeni, Nquthu, Msinga, and Umvoti.

Godfrey Xaba,  MPL and uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) member, described the property audit as a saviour because for decades people have lived adjacent to unused buildings and land.

“Government buildings and properties must be repurposed to build skill centers, community farms and Agro-processing hubs,” he said. 

Xaba asked for a timeline of the transferring of the rest of the properties and hoped that it would be a  transparent process. 

Petros Msimango, IFP-MPL, said the process will save taxpayers R24 million in annual rates. He said millions have been spent to protect unused properties which can be used to address the housing crises.  

Thobisile Nkosi, EFF-MPL, said that 357 facilities are occupied illegally and called for the conversion of these buildings for housing and for the use of government office spaces. 

Cynthia Shinga, NFP-MPL, said that many rural towns remained trapped in poverty because public assets around them lay idle.

“Hand it over with a plan, a purpose and infrastructure like water and electricity with a binding economic plan,” she stated.

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za