Durban - Businessman Jay Singh had bought a “package deal” for the Tongaat Mall from the Strathmore Property Investment Trust, in September last year.
“I paid R22 million for the property. But it was a package deal. I bought it with the design, the architect and a team of engineers. They are the best in the business. In fact, the Johannesburg engineers had worked on another major development on the South Coast.”
Singh, 49, said all his business interests, including Rectangle Property Investments, Gralio Construction, four Spar outlets and various other business interests, were registered in the names of his son, Ravi Jagadasan, and common-law wife, Shireen Annamaly.
“But I am the boss. All these businesses are in a trust which I head. I call the shots, not Ravi or Shireen.”
The father of seven said he had been devastated by the death of two workers when a huge slab at the mall collapsed.
“I was standing right there. I watched it go down. It has been upsetting for me and my family. But the truth will prevail. I did nothing wrong. The engineers were responsible for the design. The slab that collapsed was inspected by them. They must answer.”
He denied that the collapse had anything to do with inferior quality materials.
“I have appointed Westville engineer Rob Young to conduct an independent investigation into the incident. The Engineering Council of South Africa and the Department of Labour Engineers are also investigating. The answers will emerge in coming weeks.”
Singh said the slab that had collapsed had been on the ground level, on the upper part of the slope, where shops were to be located.
“About 2 200m2 of concrete collapsed on the centre deck of the ground floor.”
Singh said he was determined to see the Tongaat Mall project completed.
“The problem is fixable. Once I get the safety clearance from the engineers, I plan to complete the building.”
Singh said he had not been interviewed by police. He was expected to meet the Department of Labour on Friday.
On threats by the city to have him blacklisted, Singh said he was not fazed.
“The city is not my only source of income. In fact, my family wants me to cut ties with the city. I have lots of other business interests.”
Among the businesses, Singh owns more than 800 buses nationally.
“This is one big political vendetta. It’s just like the Shauwn Mpisane saga. I feel sorry for her. I know exactly what she is going through. But like her, I will not back off. I will clear my name before I decide about future dealings with the city.”
Singh accused the city of having double standards.
“They say I don’t have plans approved, but I have proof that the city has given the go-ahead on a number of projects without plans. All will be revealed in time...”
Singh said he took serious offence to being labelled a “scumbag and criminal” in the media. “My lawyer is in the process of finalising a letter to the press ombudsman against several media houses that have dragged my name through the mud. The civil claims will follow soon.”
Singh said while all the negative publicity had been nasty, it would not be the end of him.
“I will rise above all the challenges I am facing right now. The city officials have also been taking a dig at me. They can continue. It won’t bring me down.”
A defiant Singh said he was not embarrassed by his wealth.
“Why should I be? I never stole it from anyone. I live a simple life, but an enjoyable one. What I have is through hard work.”
Singh said in recent weeks claims had surfaced that he was related to former eThekwini head of housing, Cogi Pather, and that he (Pather) had been a consultant on the Tongaat Mall project.
“Lies once again. Pather and I are not related. He has nothing to do with my businesses. In fact, the last time I saw or spoke to him was two months ago. There were some disputes on some of my city projects. He was the head (of) housing when the projects were awarded. I called him in to get clarity. He did and that was that. We never spoke again.”
With regard to the Manase report and allegations of shoddy workmanship by Singh at some low-cost housing projects in the city, he (Singh) said he had never seen the report.
“I was not even interviewed by the people who compiled it. So I don’t care much about it.”
He said to date he had built more than 20 000 low-cost houses for the city.
“I have been doing work with the city for more than 15 years. It’s strange how all these claims against me are only coming up now. I smell a rat.”
Daily News