Download logoThe Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure has called for urgent action to strengthen Operation Bring Back (OBB) and ensure that government properties are returned to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), the custodian of state-owned property.
The committee received a briefing from the DPWI on progress in implementing Operation Bring Back, as well as a briefing from the Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE) on outstanding legislation.
Operation Bring Back aims to recover state properties that have been illegally occupied or unlawfully transferred. The DPWI informed the committee that it faces widespread challenges, including the illegal occupation of buildings, land invasions, and the unlawful commercial use of state-owned properties.
The department reported that it had appointed four service providers at a combined cost of R237 million to identify, audit, analyse, evict occupants from, and recover illegally occupied or hijacked properties. The committee heard that, of 1 285 potential recoveries, only 20 properties had been successfully returned to the DPWI. Committee members expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of recoveries and raised concerns about the lack of information on the condition of recovered properties.
The committee also expressed concern about reported disputes over payments to service providers engaged in Operation Bring Back. Members noted that the DPWI had indicated that some recovered properties may need to be disposed of at market value. Before any such decisions are taken, the committee recommended that it be provided with details of each property's value and intended future use.
Committee members further warned that the programme faces a risk of failure owing to ongoing disputes with service providers over outstanding payments. They noted that, despite being in operation for approximately 10 years, the programme has delivered limited results. The disputes relate to disagreements over work completed and amounts claimed by service providers. The committee urged the DPWI to find practical solutions as a matter of urgency to prevent the programme from collapsing and to protect the work already undertaken.
The committee also recommended that the DPWI explore innovative mechanisms to accelerate the disposal of properties, given that the current disposal process is lengthy and challenging.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
