City of Joburg cuts Sandton Gautrain Station water supply
SANDTON – Sandton Gautrain Station landlord has left City of Johannesburg with 'no option' but to cut off the water supply due to an R8-million unpaid utility bill.
The City of Johannesburg was ‘left with no option’ but to cut off the water supply to the Sandton Gautrain Station due to a six-year overdue utility bill, MMC of Finance Funzela Ngobeni announced on 9 September.
According to Ngobeni, the property which the station is situated on is owned by Cedar Park Properties 39, a Regiments Capital-linked company. The landlord allegedly owes the City R8 million for water, refuse, sewage and property rates.
“It is wholly unacceptable and, in fact, unethical for large corporates to avoid paying their municipal debts, while our residents are expected to fork out their hard-earned money on a monthly basis,” Ngobeni added.
According to the Gautrain Management Agency, the Gautrain has paid its water bill, “Everything is up to date. Cedar Park has fallen behind on payments.”
The agency has called on the City of Johannesburg and the property firm to quickly resolve this matter as it may affect commuters on a long-term basis.
In the meantime, to make travelling a bit more bearable, the agency has made temporary provisions available, such as portable toilet facilities.
*Cedar Park Properties has been contacted for comment. This is a developing story which will be updated once comment becomes available.
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Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/205129/good-news-for-buccleuch-and-kelvin/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/212799/expansion-of-gautrain-not-imminent/
