OPERATION BRING BACK-NORTH WEST The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) continues to intensify efforts to safeguard state-owned assets through Operation Bring Back (OBB), with a focused intervention taking place today in Potchefstroom, North West. Led by Deputy Minister @sziks the initiative seeks to reclaim illegally occupied government properties and restore them for productive use in support of service delivery and economic development. The Deputy Minister is joined by the North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua, Executive Mayor of JB Marks Local Municipality, Gaba Thithiba, and MMC for Infrastructure, Zanele Mphafudi. Operation Bring Back forms part of the Department’s broader programme to uphold the rule of law, protect public infrastructure, and unlock the value of state properties. In the North West Province, 43 state-owned properties have been identified as illegally occupied, with 29 currently undergoing eviction processes. As part of today’s programme, the delegation will conduct a walkabout and oversight visit at 5 & 7 Grobler Street in Potchefstroom to assess progress and reinforce government’s commitment to restoring order and accountability. #OperationBringBack #PublicWorks #Infrastructure

MUST WATCH 📹 | Operation Bring Back Carletonville Police Station “We will act firmly to return hijacked public assets to the people of South Africa” Minister @DeanMacpherson 🎥 Full video 👉🏾 youtu.be/NGBJedhCVvQ?si=Fope… #OperationBringBack #publicassetsforpublicgood #letsbuildsa

Today, Minister @DeanMacpherson conducted an oversight inspection of the illegally occupied old SAPS facilities in Carletonville as part of Department’Operation Bring Back Initiative. The visit highlighted serious concerns, including unlawful occupation, reported illegal leasing, and vandalism of public infrastructure. DPWI will proceed with the necessary legal steps to evict unlawful occupiers, secure the property, and restore it for its intended public purpose. #OperationBringBack #DPWI #PublicAssets

This morning, I conducted an oversight visit to the illegally occupied Carletonville Police Station as part of #OperationBringBack, alongside Ward Councillor Carl Steenkamp. It is deeply concerning that this state property is being unlawfully rented out for as little as R500. Work will now begin to evict those illegally occupying the site and restore it for its intended purpose - a functioning police station that serves the community. We will also criminally prosecute those behind this scheme. We will act firmly to return hijacked public assets to the people of South Africa. #LetsBuildSA 💙🇿🇦

Finally, Cape Town taking back what’s theirs! These hijacked buildings have been a nightmare for years – crime hubs, fire hazards, you name it. Props to the authorities for the raid, but 750 people? That’s massive. Hope the document checks are swift and fair, and that legit folks get proper support. No room for exploitation on either side. 🇿🇦💪 #OperationBringBack #CapeTownCleanUp

One of the Goodwood properties was left vulnerable after SAPS vacated it and has since been targeted for illegal occupation. We are here to fix that! #OperationBringBack

One of the properties forming part of the Operation Bring Back (OBB) led by DM Zikalala today is located in Goodwood. It was originally owned by an elderly woman who, in her will, directed that it be transferred to the South African Police Service (SAPS) to support the fight against drugs. The property was occupied by SAPS for some time before being vacated. It was later leased privately for commercial use, but once the lease ended, it was abandoned and eventually left vulnerable to illegal occupation. #OBB #StateProperty #OperationBringBack

Today we are leading an inspection in Cape Town under #OperationBringBack, targeting hijacked & illegally occupied state properties. Over 40 sites in the Western Cape have been flagged.

Deputy Minister @sziks Zikalala will lead an inspection in Cape Town tomorrow under #OperationBringBack, targeting hijacked & illegally occupied state properties. Over 40 sites in the Western Cape have been flagged. #OperationBringBack #CapeTown Read more: siwnews.com/2025/08/28/deput…

Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala , will on Friday, 29 August 2025, embark on Operation Bring Back – an initiative aimed at reclaiming state-owned properties that are illegally occupied. The operation will focus on departmental assets located in Khayelitsha and Goodwood, in the Western Cape. The Minister will be briefed at CapeTown Regional Office before embarking on the sites walkabout. #operationbringback #propertyinvestment

but you do realise that #OperationBringBack dates as back as last year? 🙂

ICYMI #OperationBringBack

ICYMI: The work continues #OperationBringBack 🇿🇦

Tomorrow (Monday) at 8:45 AM on @SAfmRadio, join us as we discuss President Cyril Ramaphosa's directive to implement the Expropriation Act to tackle hijacked and abandoned buildings. #OperationBringBack #LeaveNoOneBehind

Honestly, I wish it was that easy, there's a lot of legislative red tape however it is a mammoth task we have been taking head-on since the launch of #OperationBringBack last year, and the new Expropriation Act will also tremendously assist in speeding up the process of reclaiming abandoned properties, for the public good such as affordable housing for South Africans.

Good morning, and thank you for your support of the Expropriation Act. As with any transformative legislation, diverse opinions are expected. However, the Act provides a clear legal framework to address critical issues, including the illegal occupation of land and buildings. The Expropriation Act, in alignment with government initiatives such as #OperationBringBack, facilitates the recovery of illegally occupied properties which will now be accelerated by the Act. Under Chapter 5, Section 12(3)(c), it allows for nil compensation in cases where: “...an owner has abandoned the land by failing to exercise control over it despite being reasonably capable of doing so.” This provision empowers the state to take necessary action where properties are left neglected and as a result, are illegally occupied, repurposing those properties/land for public interest initiatives such as infrastructure development, housing and service delivery.

MUST WATCH📺❗️ DM @sziks discussed plans for government to improve infrastructure and reclaiming hijacked state buildings tonight on @eNCA #Reclaiming_and_Repurposing #operationbringback #WorksatWork

[NOT TO BE MISSED] Deputy Minister @sziks will unpack Operation Bring Back Programme this coming Saturday 28 September 2024 on @eNCA at 6h30 pm #OperationBringBack #DStv403 #SouthAfricaTonight

Watch eNCA on Saturday, 28 September, at 6:30 PM as we share progress in tackling hijacked buildings under #OperationBringBack #PublicWorks