The Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure notes that almost 400 seized buildings throughout the country

DURBAN – The Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure has revealed that there are about 388 seized buildings across the country.

When the 7th administration began in June this year, the department pledged to audit publicly owned buildings to identify those illegally occupied.

Some of the buildings house people illegally while the government pays the fees.

Around 50 of these have been identified in the Durban CBD.

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Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean McPherson says the process of recovering more buildings has begun.

“We are determined to work with local government to correct this.”

Mcpherson says foreclosed buildings contribute to crime.

“Anytime you have an occupied building, whether it’s downtown or in a suburb that contributes to urban decay and crime. We’ve seen that.”