September 10 2023

The Department of International Relations (Dirco) has announced that it will sell 18 of its properties which house diplomats in other parts of Africa, Europe and South America for about R500m.
Dirco is the foreign ministry of the South African government. It is responsible for SA’s relationships with foreign countries and international organizations, and runs SA’s diplomatic missions. Like many other state departments, Dirco is facing a cash crunch.
Hlengiwe Bhengu, Dirco’s chief financial officer, said the properties were in Namibia, Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, Malawi, Uruguay, Italy and France.
Dirco will invest R150m to build new embassies and foreign residences in other parts of the world. The amount was allocated for infrastructure projects, with New Delhi, India and Luanda, Angola, prioritised for the construction of chancery and official residences.
The department has collaborated with the Government Technical Advisory Centre (GTAC) as an implementing agent to help execute the capital projects.
“The process to appoint professional teams in New Delhi, India, and SA is currently being finalised by GTAC. The professional teams will commence with feasibility studies, designs and tender documentation for the appointment of the contractor. Other funding mechanisms, like Public Private Partnerships are being explored with GTAC and National Treasury,” she said in a statement.
alistair@propertyflash.co.za