PEOPLE occupying state properties illegally would be kicked out, Gauteng infrastructure development MEC Bheki Nkosi said yesterday.

"We want to make it clear to those who are staying in government houses without leases that their actions are illegal and we will come after them," Nkosi said.

Last week, 40 homes were raided in Boksburg North and 12 were found to have some irregularity.

"We found that several of the occupiers had no lease agreements with the department and some had even erected shacks and made unapproved alterations," Nkosi said.

Those without lease agreements would be removed from the properties or would have to enter a market-related rental agreement with the department.

Those who made illegal alterations were at risk of having their leases terminated, Nkosi said.

"What is of even greater concern is that some of those illegal occupiers are sub-letting to poor residents."

Other irregularities included the harbouring of illegal immigrants. One of the houses raided last week was being used to store drugs.