Today, I was joined by the City of Johannesburg’s COO, Floyd Brink, on another Buya Mthetho Revenue Enhancement Operation which took place in the inner-city. This is part of a number of operations which are to take place over the coming weeks.
Illegal connections seriously hamper the City’s ability to deliver quality services to the people of Johannesburg.
Operation Buya Mthetho is a daily ward based raid initiative focusing on the implementation of City’s bylaws within the municipality.
Since its inception, over R1,3 billion in lost revenue has been recovered. The revenue enhancement unit has been actively targeting large non-compliant developments to recuperate lost revenue when the City’s services are connected illegally. This unit has been recovering a shocking R100 million a month in lost revenue.
Today, we visited 3 sites.
The first, Noverna Court, is high-rise building with an alleged R 1 781 788.75 owed to the City for services. On arrival, residents raised their concerns as to the disputed ownership of the building between the City and a consortium said to be managing the property.
On investigation, the City could at this stage confirm that there was an outstanding dispute on the ownership of the property dating back to the previous administration.
The building was supposedly earmarked for transfer out of the City’s property portfolio, however, it was later determined that the proper process for said transfer had not been completed.
More disturbingly, whistle-blowers allege that such an arrangement had been made to the benefit of the consortium in charge of the building so they may collect rent money for the benefit of themselves and a politically connected few.
The City has received these allegations and a further investigation is set to continue into the matter.
The consortium has also promised to, later today, provide the City with documents establishing their ownership of the property.
Following today’s visit, I can confirm that the City has thus far received proof of payment amounting to R600 000 in respect of money owed to our residents.
I also visited another property said to owe the City a total outstanding amount of R3 722 738.83 upon investigation. The building is said to have a history of illegal connection especially in relation to water services.
Once again, anonymous tip-offs received from residents were invaluable in the City addressing this matter.
I fear that an ugly trend of bypassing the City’s infrastructure installation processes has reared its head, especially amongst recent developments, whether it be residential or commercial, and even development of retirement villages and schools.
Indeed, just this morning, I was notified of a Johannesburg Water Official who is under investigation for illegally reconnecting properties to services following their lawful disconnection.
I was advised that upon hearing of the investigation, the official elected to resign from their role. I have never the less instructed that a criminal case be opened up with the South African Police Services, so this matter may be fully investigated.
The practice of illegally connecting to services costs the City dearly. The funds are needed to upgrade aged infrastructure and install infrastructure in communities that never had access to services before.
I am concerned for honest residents who pay their rates and taxes every month, not knowing that their money is not reaching the City. Without these payments, the City cannot continue to upgrade infrastructure or make provision for the influx of resident to these same new developments.
We want to work with, and encourage, development in Johannesburg, but never at the expense of illegality.
Where there is any possibility of corruption within the City, leading to these illegal connections and off-the-books meter instalments, officials will be dealt with decisively. Any suspicious activities will be referred to Group Forensic Investigation Services (GFIS) for investigation and prosecution. This administration has a zero tolerance toward corruption.
I would like to encourage members of the public that have any information about illegal connections to come forward and report it to the City’s fraud hotline at 0800 002 587.
This is blatant theft, and we cannot allow law-abiding, paying residents of our City to continue footing the bill for these practices.
Cllr Herman Mashaba
Executive Mayor
City of Joburg
Media enquiries:
Luyanda Mfeka
Director: Mayoral Communications
Office of the Executive Mayor
Cell: 076 171 5978
Email: luyandam@joburg.org.za
