John Pinheiro says he owns one hectare of land in the estate and that the Maruleng Local Municipality (MLM) has doubled his property evaluation from last year. He said that his land is vacant and that it is now valued the highest in the estate. “My property was valued at R1,5 million on my last rates bill. I have received a letter stating my property at Leadwood is now valued at R3,3 million. This is the most expensive vacant land in Leadwood as far as I am aware,” he told the Herald.

He also complained that he is having trouble selling his property as his neighbour has cleared all vegetation without his consent. “I have contacted the council and they are looking into it. Apparently, they change valuations based on the last most expensive property sold,” he said Leadwood is one of Hoedspruit’s popular wildlife estates, and one-hectare vacant stands sell for R2,9m, according to the estate’s website. It is situated 7 km outside of town.

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Owners are promised safe living where big game such as lion, leopard, rhino, and elephant, as well as plains game, roam freely over 5 500 hectares of unspoiled bushveld between the Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon. Pinheiro said that he wants to warn Australian investors to refrain from investing. “How can you do an evaluation if you have not visited the property? It’s a vacant piece of land,” he said.

The Herald contacted MLM for comment. They said they are not able to give comments and that the land owner needs to contact them with his complaint. A man who answered the phone at Leadwood said that he does not want to comment.