TOP STORY OF THE WEEK: Three more suspects charged regarding the R13-million Waterfall City case
WATERFALL – Three suspects have been charged with fraud, corruption and money laundering at the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
The City of Johannesburg has announced that three suspects have been charged with fraud, corruption and money laundering.
The former Waterfall Investment Company CFO, Brian Landman, his wife Mitchell Tracey Landman, and former accountant Hendrik Stroebel, handed themselves over at the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
The three suspects appeared in court today (26 February) and were released on bail of R10 000 each. The trio are expected to appear again at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on 10 June 2019.
Johannesburg Mayor, Herman Mashaba said, “I am happy with the manner in which this case is progressing. We are confident that more arrests will be made in due course.”
“It was established last year that some water meters were not reading despite the continued use of water. It was also discovered that the well-known property developers were connected directly from the fire hydrants.”
The mayor previously stated, “The City loses between R5-billion and R8-billion annually due to revenue leakages and accounts being deleted off the billing system.
In May last year, an investigation by the City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS) and the Operation Buya Mthetho team revealed that Waterfall Investment Company allegedly obtained water meters illegally from Johannesburg Water employee, Faisel Abrahams and used them during construction at Waterfall City. The meters used are not registered on the City’s billing system.
Abrahams and his co-accused from Waterfall Investment Company, Irvine Steyn and Yvette Scheepers, were arrested last year after they allegedly obtained water meters illegally and stole water, estimated to be worth around R13 million, during the development of Waterfall City. The Operation Buya Mthetho team conducted an audit of all the water meters installed at Waterfall City.
Instead of applying for a bulk water meter which can cost up to R140 000, Waterfall Investment Company allegedly colluded with Abrahams to obtain the meter and continue with the development.
The City said it derives most of its revenue from services such as water, sewage, refuse and property rates which were not paid at these establishments. The City added the development was not registered and used City’s services illegal.
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/207914/joburg-mayor-herman-mashaba-hosts-inner-city-partnership-forum/
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/207705/herman-mashaba-sends-aresebetseng-team-kigali-rwanda/
