Picture: Illegal occupation of government buildings a concern/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
17 April 2026 – The Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala together with the North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua have found several businesses illegally operating at one of government properties in Potchefstroom. Zikalala and Mokua were undertaking Operation Bring Back (OBB), a nation-wide government plan to reclaim unlawfully occupied and hijacked state properties.
Zikalala further said the North West province has 43 illegally occupied state properties with 29 of them pending evictions. He added that the businesses found to be illegally operating from the property in Grobler Street in Potchefstroom, include recycling, a warehouse storing building materials, a car storage and residential letting.
“The illegal residents at the property claim to be paying monthly rent to unnamed and faceless individuals. In December 2025, DPWI issued eviction notices to 13 residents who illegally occupied the property. Of the 13, 10 of them have since left, but new illegal tenants were brought in by the unscrupulous and illegal landlord.
“Government is willing to work with the small business owners illegally operating in the property by looking for alternative accommodation for them so that they continue operating their businesses. We cannot allow the small businesses to continue working in this property because the SAPS has an interest in utilising the property,” said Zikalala.
He said currently, the SAPS is renting R400 000 per month when they can be using this property. Zikalala called for an investigation into the identity of the rent collector and government officials in all spheres of government assisting criminals to hijack government properties.
Meanwhile, Mokua expressed appreciation for ongoing collaboration with the national government and said the three spheres of government will continue working together to remove illegal occupants in government properties. She said they extend their sincere gratitude to Zikalala for the continued working relationship and coordinated efforts in reclaiming state assets.
“This work requires a strong multi-sectoral approach, where all three spheres of government must act in unison to decisively reclaim public property from illegal occupants. While we remain committed to supporting economic upliftment and the growth of small businesses, this cannot override the prescripts governing the lawful occupation of state-owned properties.
“Compliance with legal processes is non-negotiable as we work to restore order and protect public resources. We were accompanied by the executive mayor of JB Marks Local Municipality, Gaba Thithiba kaQhele, MMC for Infrastructure Andre Swarts, SAPS officials and Home Affairs officials,” said Mokua.
She said the OBB led to the nabbing of three illegal foreign nationals by the Home Affairs department.
The Guardian 