Transnet wants to dispose of 15 commercial properties across South Africa as the state-owned logistics group reduces assets outside its core freight operations.
The list includes Johannesburg’s Carlton Centre, the Durban Station precinct, property on the Cape Town Foreshore, the Umlazi Mega City site and the Bloemfontein Golf Course.
15 commercial properties identified
The properties include shopping centres, golf courses, large parcels of land and prominent inner-city sites.
Transnet announced the disposal process through a Government Gazette notice published on Monday.
Government departments, municipalities, state-owned companies and other public entities have 30 days to express interest in acquiring, leasing or taking transfer of the properties.
A broader disposal process might follow once this period ends.
Thousands of non-core properties targeted
The 15 commercial sites represent one section of a wider property clean-out.
Transnet has reportedly identified around 3,700 non-core properties across its portfolio for eventual disposal. These include residential stands, hostels and lodges.
The current batch forms the latest part of the programme rather than the full property list.
Transnet aims to reduce its property portfolio, strengthen its finances and concentrate resources on rail, port and pipeline operations.
Carlton Centre leads the list
The Carlton Centre is the most recognisable property included in the latest group.
Transnet bought the Johannesburg CBD complex from Anglo American for R33 million in 1999. The company later used the building as its headquarters before moving to a restored heritage property at 96 Rissik Street.
The Carlton Centre precinct includes:
• A 50-storey office tower
• A shopping centre
• The former Carlton Hotel
The Carlton Hotel was once one of Johannesburg’s leading luxury hotels. The hotel has been closed since 1997.
Transnet vacated the office tower before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Previous Carlton Centre sale attempts failed
Transnet first tried to dispose of the Carlton Centre in 2007. The process stopped during the global financial crisis.
A second attempt followed in 2023, when Transnet sought around R900 million for the property.
The deal collapsed after bidders failed to secure funding.
The latest Government Gazette notice does not include an asking price.
Transnet focuses on freight operations
The wider property disposal programme comes as Transnet works to restore South Africa’s freight logistics network and manage pressure on its balance sheet.
Conditions linked to government financial support have included:
• Disposing of non-core assets
• Reducing costs
• Considering alternative funding options for infrastructure and maintenance
Selling or transferring properties outside Transnet’s main operations would allow the company to direct more attention and resources towards its freight network.
Large sites included in the portfolio
Several properties in the current group cover sizeable areas and occupy prominent locations.
The portfolio includes:
• 26,900m² of land on Cape Town’s Foreshore
• The 47,192m² Durban Station precinct
• More than 850,000m² linked to the Bloemfontein Golf Course and clubhouse
The next stage will depend on responses from government departments, municipalities, state-owned companies and other public entities during the 30-day interest period.
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