Waterfall estates lawyers say Joburg fines unlawful

Luxury residential estates connected bulk water illegally

- By Mpho Koka

The Johannesburg High Court this week reserved judgment in the matter between the owners of the luxury residential Waterfall Country Estate and the City of Johannesburg, which accuses the property owners of illegally connecting water.

Three weeks ago, Sunday World exclusively reported that Waterfall Country Estate was hauling the city to court to challenge the fines for its illegal water connections.

Three estates of Waterfall City, a prime residential area where some of the who's who of politics, business, and A-list celebrities reside, have been exposed as a hub for illegal water connections that have cost the city millions of rands.

The minted Mia family owns the city in which the R5.7-billion Mall of Africa in Midrand is located.

Three estates of the posh city, where homes fetch between R1.8-million and R30-million, are accused by the municipality of connecting to the bulk water system without the approval of Johannesburg Water.