Organisations want top leadership to address valuations
The organisations want those in power to address ongoing issues around what they say is the erroneous and invalid 2021 to 2025 Ekurhuleni Property Valuation Roll.
Residents Action Group Bedfordview (RAG) and OUTA have called on Ekurhuleni mayor Tania Campbell, the mayoral committee and the municipal valuer to urgently convene a public meeting.
ALSO READ: How long does it take to sell a home in SA
The organisations want those in power to address ongoing issues around what they say is the erroneous and invalid 2021 to 2025 Ekurhuleni Property Valuation Roll.
“Ekurhuleni residents have now had enough. We are at the end of our tether and refuse to be fobbed off any longer,” said Marina Constas, chairperson of RAG.
“Over 50 000 residents objected to the flawed Ekurhuleni valuation roll. It cost them time and money, having direct economic implications for the country.
“More than half of those objectors have now been slapped in the face by the council, receiving their objections back with no changes to their valuation, unsatisfactory changes, which in no way reflect the correct value, or, shockingly, an increase to their rates.
“Now, we hear that these residents must spend more time and money running around asking the municipal valuer for reasons for their unfathomable decisions and put in place an appeals process.
“To add insult to injury, the residents appealing must pay a bank valuer R5 000 for a valuation regarding the appeals process. “This is unacceptable,” said Constas.
“The latest news that I have received is that the council is refusing to flag accounts and make payment arrangements during this appeals process.
“So, for the next three years, residents must pay on a ridiculous valuation until the appeal is heard. There will be no less than 25 000 appeals. Residents cannot afford to pay. This is extortion,” she added.
Constas said that RAG has engaged with the new mayoral committee of Ekurhuleni and was encouraged by an initial meeting where there was a commitment to improving service delivery in Ekurhuleni.
“However, the rates issue must be prioritised now, and we are not seeing any satisfactory solutions,” she said.
The NEWS sent an enquiry to the City of Ekurhueni’s media department for comment on February 2.
The comment was requested by deadline on February 4.
On February 3, spokesperson in the office of the executive mayor Phakamile Mbengashe confirmed receiving the request for comment.
At the time of the set deadline, no comment was received.
Also follow us on:
