Property group Attacq has officially appointed Peter de Villiers as its permanent Chief Financial Officer, effective from 1 June 2026. The appointment concludes a comprehensive board-led recruitment and vetting process, solidifying the executive leadership of the real estate investment trust best known for developing the flagship Waterfall City precinct and the Mall of Africa in Gauteng.
De Villiers transitions into the permanent role after serving as interim CFO since February 2026. He stepped into the position following the resignation of former finance chief Raj Nana, who departed the group at the end of January. A qualified chartered accountant and CFA charterholder, De Villiers brings deep institutional knowledge to the role, having joined Attacq in March 2013 and served on its executive committee since the company’s listing on the JSE later that year.
The leadership confirmation coincides with a period of robust financial performance for the group. In its most recent interim results for the six months ending December 2025, Attacq reported a 9.6% increase in distributable income per share, rising to 60.3 cents. This strong operational momentum allowed the group to declare an interim dividend of 48 cents per share—a 9.1% year-on-year increase—representing a 79.6% payout ratio of distributable income.
Underpinning these results was solid top-line growth, with gross revenue increasing by 8.9% to R1.6 billion and rental income growing by 4.9% to R1.5 billion. Net operating income also rose by 5.2% to R936.9 million. The group’s total assets have expanded to R25.2 billion, while the net asset value attributable to equity owners stands at R13.5 billion, equating to R19.32 per share. Furthermore, the portfolio demonstrated strong tenant demand, achieving a 93.7% occupancy rate and successfully renewing 92.5% of expiring leases during the period.
Beyond its core retail and logistics portfolios, Attacq is aggressively expanding its exposure to South Africa’s lucrative business tourism and events market. The company recently announced a strategic partnership with the Rabie Property Group to develop a R750 million conference centre and hotel within the Waterfall City precinct.
This new hospitality asset, expected to be fully operational by January 2028, will accommodate up to 1,350 delegates in a single venue and feature a 180-room hotel. The development forms part of a broader R2.1 billion approved pipeline aimed at transforming Waterfall City into a fully integrated ecosystem where commerce, residential living, and large-scale business events seamlessly coexist.
| Attacq Interim Financial Highlights (Six Months to Dec 2025) | Figure | Year-on-Year Change |
| Gross Revenue | R1.6 billion | +8.9% |
| Rental Income | R1.5 billion | +4.9% |
| Net Operating Income | R936.9 million | +5.2% |
| Distributable Income Per Share | 60.3 cents | +9.6% |
| Interim Dividend Per Share | 48 cents | +9.1% |