Primary briefing · Gazette
high impact 55242 · 7846 · 2026-08-24
Transnet disposes of 15 non-core commercial properties — public-sector first refusal, then open-market RFP
Effective from
24 Aug 2026
Government Notice 7846 announces Transnet SOC Ltd's intention to dispose of fifteen non-core immovable commercial properties across multiple provinces under section 54(2)(d) of the PFMA. The portfolio includes high-profile assets such as the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg, Kenridge/Willow Bridge in Cape Town, and Umlazi Mall Megacity in KwaZulu-Natal, with a combined extent exceeding 2.5 million square metres. National and provincial government departments, municipalities, SOCs, and other public entities are afforded a first right of refusal and must submit written expressions of interest within 30 days of publication (by approximately 23 September 2026). Submissions must specify the property or properties of interest, the intended public use, confirmation of budgetary provision, and contact details of the responsible official. If no public-sector interest is received within the 30-day window, Transnet will proceed to issue a public RFP to the open market for private-sector parties.
Who is affected
Commercial property developers and investorsState-owned companies and public entitiesNational and provincial government departmentsMunicipalitiesRetail and mixed-use property sector participantsPublic finance and PFMA advisory practitioners What this means for practitioners
Public-sector entities: submit written expressions of interest by approximately 23 September 2026, specifying the property, intended public use, budgetary confirmation, and responsible official contact details.
Private-sector developers and investors: monitor for the open-market RFP that Transnet will issue if no public-sector interest materialises within the 30-day period.
Advisors to SOCs and government departments: assess whether any client has a strategic interest in any of the 15 listed properties and advise on the PFMA s 54 approval requirements for significant asset transactions.