--- title: "Joburg property chaos as syndicates raid archive, systems fail" description: "This article first appeared as a Johannesburg newsletter, one of our first editions, where we hope you’ll join our mission to build a community of change for our city. This week, we’ve been investigating chaos in the planning department and the ongoing enrichment of water tanker cadres as the city throttles water to its poorest areas." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "JOBURG NEWSLETTER" author: "Ferial Haffajee" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/ferialhaffajee/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-04-joburg-property-chaos-as-syndicates-raid-archive-systems-fail-2/" published: "2025-11-04T13:13:21" updated: "2025-11-18T13:18:50" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 718 --- # Joburg property chaos as syndicates raid archive, systems fail > This article first appeared as a Johannesburg newsletter, one of our first editions, where we hope you’ll join our mission to build a community of change for our city. This week, we’ve been investigating chaos in the planning department and the ongoing enrichment of water tanker cadres as the city throttles water to its poorest areas. By Ferial Haffajee · Published 4 November 2025, 15:13 SAST · Updated 18 November 2025, 15:18 SAST ## Key points - In Joburg, where finding a building plan is as likely as spotting a unicorn, water tanker tycoons are cashing in while the taps run dry, and a guerrilla gardener is the city's unsung hero amid the bureaucratic chaos. - Joburg's planning chaos continues as the Land Information System remains down, hindering developers and homeowners alike. - Cadre-owned water tanker companies profit from a R223-million contract despite ongoing investigations and a water crisis affecting residents. - The Water Crisis Committee mobilizes citizens to demand water as a basic human right, following protests against profiteering. - Floyd Brink returns as city manager, bringing qualifications and cross-party support, but his tenure is short-lived until the next local elections. ## Content ![Joburg's abandoned Metro Centre is a symptom of urbicide — the killing of a city. (Photo: Supplied) | Buliding blueprints (Image: Istock) | Paper tear (Image: Freepik) | Magnifying glass (Image: Freepik)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/GLYHzPjYuJsNSVcZ_tEEAmzDQdg=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/greg-building-plans.jpg) *Joburg's abandoned Metro Centre is a symptom of urbicide — the killing of a city. (Photo: Supplied) | Buliding blueprints (Image: Istock) | Paper tear (Image: Freepik) | Magnifying glass (Image: Freepik)* **1. Try to get a building plan from the city – it’s impossible** For months, Joburg reporter Anna Coxhas been [investigating the chaos](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-02-joburg-property-chaos-as-syndicates-raid-abandoned-plans-archives/) in planning in the city, where all building plans have been abandoned in the Metro Centre for almost two years. The Land Information System has been down for more than a month, causing businesses to pull their hair out. Developers can’t build, homeowners can’t sell, and banks won’t bond – all because the City of Joburg can’t find its own building plans. **2. Water tanker cadres coin it from R223m contract as city throttles taps for hours** In August, a councillor alerted me to the fact that two cadre-owned water tanker companies, Nutinox and Built-Pro, are still benefitting nicely from a R223-million contract. This, despite Mayor Dada Morero promising an investigation and an ongoing court case against the company owned by two young tenderpreneurs with no history of water supply in a complex city. ![Johannesburg residents protest against the water crisis outside Johannesburg Council Chambers on 1 November 2025. Thy demanded an urgent action to end what they describe as a ‘human rights and economic emergency’ caused by the worsening water crisis. (Photo: Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/us0XDK9YHIxmeFN0rjed1OqrBx8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ED_584995-1.jpg) *Johannesburg residents protest against the water crisis outside Johannesburg Council Chambers on 1 November 2025. Thy demanded an urgent action to end what they describe as a ‘human rights and economic emergency’ caused by the worsening water crisis. (Photo: Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images)* **3. Get active – join the Water Crisis Committee** On Saturday 1 November, the city’s people protested outside the Council to stop profiteering from water, and to insist on water service as a basic human right. The Water Crisis Committee is an alliance of active citizens who provide information and a platform for all water issues. Do join their WhatsApp group of active citizens who are taking control of our city’s water future. Lerato Mutsila has the [story about the protest here.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-02-joburg-water-crisis-disrupts-schools-imperils-health-fuels-crime-protesters/) **4. Floyd Brink back as city manager** Johannesburg finally has a city manager. Floyd Brink is back in his role, Mayor Dada Morero announced on 30 October. A year ago, Brink left the same role after a judgment found his appointment irregular. This followed an application by opposition party, the Democratic Alliance. ![City Manager Floyd Brink at the official handover of Johannesburg International Transport Interchange on 12 October 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo: Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/8O-vWHSmY3C_NfSA2m8ye4L9ziA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/nonnku-floydbrink-MAIN.jpg) *City Manager Floyd Brink at the official handover of Johannesburg International Transport Interchange on 12 October 2021 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo: Gallo Images/Sharon Seretlo)* Brink has used the time to complete a doctorate, to add to his list of qualifications, making him one of the most qualified for the top job in a long time. He won cross-party support in interviews. Brink’s job is guaranteed only until the next election so his contract is short, for just more than a year (the local government election is slated for late 2026 to early 2027). His terms and conditions are being negotiated with Morero, who was keen on a different candidate. **5. Joburg ‘Person of the day’ – Yumna Beukes** Despite the worst efforts of city government, Joburg keeps on keeping on. How does it do this? Its people are its gold – they are the fascia and connective tissue that hold the city together. Together with urban social movement Jozi My Jozi, we will highlight a “person of the day” whenever we come across someone doing great things despite the odds. Today, it’s the Bertrams guerrilla gardener who has turned dump sites into pavement gardens. You gotta love 💞Aunty Yumna. [Bridget Hilton-Barber spoke to her](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-10-30-meet-yumna-beukes-guerrilla-gardener-community-activist-and-fearsome-joburg-aunty/). ![Yumna Beukes. (Photo: Bridget Hilton-Barber)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/LRsdOfcWBcqADdEwEIDkrNRPV5A=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/yumna-beukes.jpg) *Yumna Beukes. (Photo: Bridget Hilton-Barber)* ### Picture of the day - “The Zoo hosted a Halloween party on Friday evening. More than 5,000 people attended.” - Jenny Moodley![Joburg Zoo. Photo: Jenny Moodley](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/ZNjmxXLL_3hjAeZzZqLdrHoErhU=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/unnamed-1.jpg) *Joburg Zoo. Photo: Jenny Moodley* ### Heard recently - “If people work, they can afford to pay for services”— Kenny Kunene, on his urban vision for Joburg. - “Since trading has been interrupted, I will not be able to provide for my children. I cannot even afford to provide them lunch money” — trader Ayanda Kela, after Mayor Dada Morero defended his eviction of inner city informal traders. ### My go-to spot for - ... comfort food. Been serving the best toasted steaks for decades. - Tip us off! What’s your favourite spot? Tell us why – or suggest something else [here](mailto:ferial@dailymaverick.co.za).![Kentucky Milk Bar | 95 Central Rd, Fordsburg.(Photo: TikTok)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/XUOh5Om3eOJQQl_c7Imkl0YTARw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Kentucky-Milk-Bar.png) *Kentucky Milk Bar | 95 Central Rd, Fordsburg.(Photo: TikTok)* --- Love our newsletter? [Subscribe here](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/about/newsletter/) or please forward it to a friend.