Today, 12 February 2019, I was joined by the MMC for Finance, Cllr Funzela Ngobeni and the City of Johannesburg’s COO, Floyd Brink, on another Buya Mthetho Revenue Enhancement Operation, targeting large non-compliant developments across the City.
We have been able to identity over R28 million in lost revenue that will be recovered.
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.
We visited eight (8) sites today, and delivered seven (7) non-compliance notices which effectively gives owners seven (7) days to fully comply or the service they have been illegal connected to will be disconnected. Two of the properties owe the City R28 million collectively, both of which have seven (7) days to pay up.
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.
These practices cost 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 suspicions 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.
For media queries:
Kutlwano Olifant
Stakeholder Manager: Office of the MMC for Finance
081 434 7417
kutlwanoo@joburg.org.za
Or
Chantelle Fourie-Shawe
Media Specialist: Office of the Executive Mayor
081 546 1014
chantellef@joburg.org.za
