This comes after Gauteng health MEC Brian Hlongwa revealed that his department was conducting an audit of its houses. It could not run a property company, it was a health department, said DA Gauteng health spokesman Jack Bloom.

He had discovered the existence of the houses over a number of years--and that some were being let at nominal rentals, while others were in arrears on their rates and taxes, he said.

In written questions, he asked Hlongwa how many houses the department owned, why it owned them and where they were. Bloom inquired about the assessed value of each house, the rental paid for each, and the reason any were unoccupied. He also queried whether the municipal payments were up to date, and if not, the amounts owed and why they were outstanding, and whether a review was planned of the need to retain the houses.

"He ducked just about all my questions and gave me a two line response," Bloom said. In his reply, Hlongwa said the audit would be conducted in accordance with the Government Immovable Asset Management Act.

"Once this audit is complete, a determination as to whether these houses will be retained or disposed of in accordance with relevant legislation will be made," he said.

Bloom claimed the department had properties "all over the place".

"They don't know what they own," he said. The audit was "long overdue". By his estimate, the department could raise more than R50 million from the sale of the houses -- many of which needed expensive repairs.

"Why has it taken so long to take a decision on these properties?" he asked.

"There are also other land holdings that should be put up for sale, so that the department can get extra income, as well as better focus on its core business of patient care."