Water saga at Waterfall City unfolds

Attacq, the developers of Waterfall City and Waterfall Logistics Hub, has refuted allegations by the City of Johannesburg that the company was using illegal water connections at some of the properties under its management.

This after three workers who were arrested for the alleged theft of water amounting to 58 000 litres from a fire hydrant in Waterfall, were acquitted of all charges in the Midrand Magistrates’ Court.

The case was first reported in Water under the bridge for three suspects, Week ending 25 May.

The court ruled that the companies who the employees worked for were to be held accountable because the three men were operating under their employer’s instructions.

Civil engineering contractors Labucon Resources which are contracted to Attacq, confirmed that two of the arrested men worked for them and one was in the employ of construction engineering company Group Five, also contracted to the developers. Solomon Mthimunye, the managing director of Labucon Resources said they had discontinued using water from the fire hydrant but refused to be blamed for the allegedly illegal water usage because they were instructed by Attacq to do so.

“We paid the water bill to Attacq and were unaware that we were not permitted to use that water, therefore, Labucon cannot be held accountable,” added Mthimunye.

Heidi Geldenhuys of Group Five said, “In line with standard construction agreements with clients, Group Five, as well as other partners on the contracts, was instructed by the client [Attacq] at the start of construction on which water sources to use.

“As the constructor on contracts, the group remains under the client’s municipal service agreements through the duration of construction. The group, therefore, has to refer media queries on this matter to the client, as it would not be appropriate for us to do so, as we are not privy to the client’s agreement with service providers.”

Melt Hamman, the interim CEO of Attacq confirmed that they had instructed Labucon Resources and Group Five to use water from the hydrant.

Hamman further stated that it was in possession of all paperwork and invoicing in relation to its water connections and consumption, and welcomed the opportunity to share the documentation with the relevant authorities.

Hamman said, “We are aware of the allegations in relation to water theft in the Waterfall area and understand from news reported on the 30 May that ‘two property developers have been arrested’.

“We would like to place on record that none of our staff has been arrested.”

Jackie van Niekerk, the COO said, “As Attacq, we are committed to long-term sustainable development at Waterfall City. We do not condone the illegal use and connections of water and are concerned to learn of inferences relating to properties in our portfolio.

“We have the relevant documentation at hand and have approached the City of Johannesburg to request clarity on this matter. We will be in a position to provide further comment once we have met with City officials and due process has been followed.”

The developer said the City had checked all of Attacq’s development and building water meters to ensure there were no irregularities.

“Perhaps the City is busy with housekeeping and a rectification process which is why all these questions are being raised, but I would like to clarify that Attacq [has done] no wrong,” said Hamman.

“We are up to date with all our water bills and have paid every bill sent to us.”

Lucky Sindane, the spokesperson for Group Forensic and Investigation Services, a City of Johannesburg unit formed to root out corruption, said the Waterfall area was under investigation because it had been discovered that water meters there have been tampered with.

“We are having constant meetings with various companies including Attacq and at the moment the case is in court,” said Sindane. “The company has made certain allegations and all their allegations are being investigated.”