IN CONVERSATION WITH MICHAEL WATERS
Loading player...
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has accused Gauteng Infrastructure Development MEC Jacob Mamabolo of contradicting himself regarding the availability of government-owned buildings that could potentially house education district offices. The controversy centres on the more than R183 million the Gauteng government reportedly spends each year renting privately owned buildings for ten education district offices, despite concerns that vacant or underutilised state-owned properties may be available. According to the DA, Mamabolo initially stated in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature on 8 September 2026 that no suitable government-owned buildings existed for this purpose. However, he later acknowledged that assessments were still underway to determine the suitability of available government properties.
The dispute raises broader questions about government asset management, public expenditure and accountability. At a time when Gauteng schools continue to face funding pressures, overcrowding, infrastructure backlogs and resource shortages, critics argue that government should first exhaust all available public assets before spending millions on private rentals. The DA is demanding that the MEC disclose a complete list of vacant and underutilised provincial properties, together with the evidence used to support his original claim that no suitable buildings were available.
The dispute raises broader questions about government asset management, public expenditure and accountability. At a time when Gauteng schools continue to face funding pressures, overcrowding, infrastructure backlogs and resource shortages, critics argue that government should first exhaust all available public assets before spending millions on private rentals. The DA is demanding that the MEC disclose a complete list of vacant and underutilised provincial properties, together with the evidence used to support his original claim that no suitable buildings were available.
