The national Public Works Department yesterday called on Buffalo City to show which government-owned buildings owed rates to the municipality, the Daily Dispatch has reported.

Public Works Department spokesperson Lucky Mochalibane was commenting on reports that Buffalo City has demanded, in writing, that the department settle accrued services debts of R30-million, the newspaper said.

"We have been saying: 'Tell us what this money is for and show us documentation'," Mochalibane said.

Mochalibane told the Daily Dispatch the department would not consider any payment until it knew which buildings were involved.

City Manager Mxolisi Tsika undertook to provide the Daily Dispatch with the list of properties in arrears.