PRETORIA - The government is taking a closer look at thousands of state-owned homes occupied by government officials.
Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson has ordered an investigation into more than 6,000 government-owned residential properties.
The probe will examine who occupies the homes, whether officials qualify for them.
It will also examine if market-related rent is being charged and whether taxpayers are getting value for money.
Macpherson says the state should not be carrying the cost of thousands of official residences when many government employees are already receiving housing benefits.