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Editorial:Beware of the big bad boast

Nie Cele

Nie Cele

One can only hope that Johannesburg Water’s bragging that it has enough money to accomplish a massive infrastructure upgrade is the truth.

But without doubting its administration and financial muscle, it’s hard to believe this, especially when other entities battle to operate on a shoestring, amid talk that they are on the brink of their worst economic doldrums. More worrying is that some residents are still being billed erroneously for water every month, and one can only hope that the so-called overflowing coffers of Johannesburg Water haven’t been made so by payment from improperly billed citizens.

It’s hard for me to believe but part of the parking lot outside my office is classified by city council as a school, which means it’s charged as a school for rates, water and electricity. Despite countlessly engaging with city council to resolve this problem no one there seems to be bothered with any solution.

As a result astronomical amounts of money continue to be demanded.

On a different note, re-employed Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira’s boast that he is not here for money must not be taken lightly, and the Brazilian mustn’t think he can fool everyone. It’s public knowledge that when he first took the plum Bafana job he was paid an earth shattering R1.8-million, to much public outcry.

After deserting the country citing his wife’s ill health, he’s back, following compatriot Joel Santana’s dismal failure despite great recommendation from Parreira.

Maybe after all this, plus his admission he’s not here for the money, the honourable Mr. Parreira should render free service to Bafana, and channel all his earnings to charity finish and klaar.

citybeat@caxton.co.za