Are new property valuations necessary?

This letter was addressed to Mayor, Afzul Rehman, for his attention via a letter to the Editor:

Goodday Mr Rehman – I would like to know why is it necessary to do a new valuation on all properties in Newcastle?

Is there a hidden agenda that property owners do not know about? In most cases the market value is far fetched and not realistic. The property valuation will increase with approximately 30 per cent on my property.

My house on my property is approximately 60 years old and needs a lot of renovation and upgrading, which I am unable to afford at this stage. I have always been under the impression that by the time I become a pensioner that I would own a house that has been paid in full and I have worked all my life to reach that goal.

Now that I am a pensioner and that my income is so little, I find that I am unable to cope with the rates and taxes on my paid-up property. It seems to me that there are people who have never worked for anything but are more privileged because they get houses for free.

There must be something wrong. With the new assessment I can repay my bond in three years. How many times does one have to pay for your own property? There are countries were you pay less personal tax if you are a home owner, then you are not a burden for the government.

When I came to Newcastle about 35 years ago, the rates were so reasonable that I was able to pay my rates yearly in advance. Now I am a pensioner and cannot keep up with the monthly amount for rates.

The rates on my property are so high now that I could have settled my bond in four-and-a-half years instead of 20 years. The rates in Newcastle have increased to such a level that the rates in Newcastle exceed areas like Waterkloof in Pretoria and Krugersdorp.

Newcastle was a very neat town; the streets were always in a good condition and the wonderful Provincial Hospital served the community in the past. This is not the case lately but still the property owners have to pay for everything.

What happened to the newly built bridge that now stands like a white elephant and is absolutely useless? Who paid for that?

I would like to know who is responsible for the planning and how this project will connect to the rest of the town to release the bottleneck situation of the traffic.

Furthermore, something that I do not understand is why politics have to rule all the municipalities in the country. I feel that this is very wrong. Surely people with the appropriate qualifications and who are able to do the work properly must be worth more than somebody who belongs to a certain political party.

FW Koke

Response from Mayor, Afzul Rehman:

It will be such a great pleasure if Mr Koke and others like him who need so much info from council could attend my very extensive budget roadshows.

Unfortunately now I need to duplicate and spend valuable time responding to letters. This government, unlike the government prior to 94, does not have hidden agendas and conspiracies.

In fact, the policies of this government is most transparent, which some of our community members abuse.

The valuation role, as per law, has to be re-evaluated every five years. This has been done. If you do not agree with the valuation, you have the freedom to lodge an objection. As a pensioner, you can also apply for a rates rebate of 25 per cent.

The bridge at Ncandu River is a first phase of an extension that will see the widening of Allen Street from that bridge to Victoria Street.

I’m sorry you don’t feel this city is better than you found it 35 years ago, but I’m certain the majority of residents will not agree with you.