The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape says it has uncovered evidence of commercial properties being leased by the province for amounts far in excess of current market rates.

In three cases it has identified, the buildings, all recently sold, all belong to the same buyers, DA provincial public works spokesman Robin Carlisle said in a statement on Monday.

"In every case, the directors of the purchasing companies are the same, and their various companies are registered at the same address.

"In every case, the rentals to be paid by the province are far in excess of current market rates (at least R54.8m in total over the life of the leases), and in two buildings where the province is an existing tenant, the new rental is almost double the existing ones," he said.

Two of the buildings were in Cape Town, and the other in George.

"The purchaser is enabled to buy the building on the surety of the province's intention to lease. In essence, the buyer funds the purchase from the new high rentals at the taxpayers' expense."

Carlisle said he had, on March 16, advised provincial premier Lynne Brown of his party's concern "about a number of leases being rushed to [provincial] cabinet for approval just before the election".

He said there was no doubt the buildings' new owners, whom he names, would "make a financial killing" if the new leases were Brown's office was not immediately available for comment.

Source: Sapa