Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Sihle Zikalala says the government is planning to evict people who have illegally occupied more than 40 state-owned properties in the North West.
Zikalala announced Operation Bring Back in Potchefstroom.
The operation is part of a nationwide plan to reclaim unlawfully occupied and hijacked government properties.
Zikalala says the process will follow legal procedures and involve multiple stakeholders.
“We’re working on a process of evicting people who are in those properties. We’re following the eviction regulations, working with municipalities to ensure that those who stay there are properly checked. If they are undocumented foreigners, they get repatriated to their respective countries. If criminal activities are happening, criminal cases and charges are laid, and those involved are prosecuted,” said Zikalala.
The government says the operation aims to restore lawful use of public assets and address illegal occupation.
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… pic.twitter.com/WVAl5eUapt
— Department Of Public Works and Infrastructure (@DepartmentPWI) April 17, 2026
Related video | New bill against unlawful occupation of buildings
