R223m water contract still in place as Joburg's taps run dry

Despite court action and an investigation, questionable companies Nutinox and Builtpro continue to score from a three-year contract to supply water, earning millions from the city's own failures. By Ferial Haffajee

- By Ferial Haffajee

Above and below: Johannesburg residents protest against the water crisis outside Johannesburg Council Chambers on 1 November. They demanded urgent action to end what they described as a 'human rights and economic emergency' caused by the worsening water crisis.

(Photos: Fani Mahuntsi/Gallo Images)

AmaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism exposed how two 20-somethings with no experience and who run companies without their own tankers, called Nutinox and Built-pro, are doing a roaring trade with the city as its water supply falters.

Johannesburg's water system is in crisis and Daily Maverick's reporting over years shows that it is a systemic and years-long problem. Water tankers are sent out when areas to the southwest and east of the city experience multiday cuts.

Now, Daily Maverick has confirmed from council minutes that despite a court case brought by a losing bidder and an internal audit investigation ordered by mayor Dada Morero in January, the controversial contract is still in place.

"Yes, it is still in place. The service is as and when required. Therefore, there's no value and we have been deploying trucks according to Johannesburg Water requirements," a Nutinox spokesperson, who did not supply their name, said via email.