Grievances over rising municipal rates and fears around deductions from prepaid electricity purchases continue to simmer in Ward 82 (Lynnwood, Menlo Park, and surrounding areas), with residents questioning if the Tshwane Metro communicated the 2025 property valuation process clearly enough.

The metro implemented a general revaluation of all properties on July 1, 2025, in line with the Municipal Property Rates Act (MPRA).

Property owners could object to their new valuations during a public participation period that ran from February 26 to May 2, 2025.

However, some residents say they were unaware of the objection process until after the deadline.

Resident Roelof van Wyk said the increase in property valuations has had a direct impact on household finances.

“The property valuation increased, which led to higher rates. I was affected and realised my account had gone up, but I can’t remember exactly when.”

He added that they were not aware of the 2025 valuation objection period at the time.

Another resident, Carina Gauche, said she has repeatedly complained about the percentage increase in her municipal account, without receiving any meaningful feedback.

“We’ve been complaining about the increase, but we never got any feedback,” said Gauche.

She said she only became aware of the objection process through the ward councillor, not the metro.

“Councillor Siobhan Muller communicates these things well. She told us how to object or lodge a complaint, and I followed that exact procedure. But the council just helps you go away – they don’t say yes or no or anything,” Gauche said.

According to Gauche, her account has nearly doubled.

She added that poor billing communication has worsened the situation.

“They don’t even send invoices at this stage. A lot of people are unable to pay their accounts because the City of Tshwane is not sending out invoices,” Gauche said.

Ward 82 councillor Siobhan Muller said many of the current complaints stem from residents who missed the objection deadline.

“A question was asked regarding the increased rates and prepaid deductions to arrears. In 2025, there was a revaluation of all properties, and objections had to be lodged by May. This was repeatedly posted to the group,” said Muller.

She said former mayor Cilliers Brink had written to the city manager last year and again recently, questioning why not all objections had been addressed.

According to Muller, they are still waiting for a reply.

Muller stated that residents who did not object within the prescribed period no longer have access to the normal objection process.

“If you did not object in the objection period ending May 2025, it is too late,” she said.

She also cautioned residents against withholding payment.

“Not paying accounts will result in either disconnection of services or, if you have prepaid, arrears will be deducted from prepaid payments,” Muller said.

According to Muller, prepaid meters form part of broader measures aimed at addressing non-payment.

She said prepaid meters were an instruction to metros by the National Treasury and the Auditor-General (AG) to deal with defaulting payers.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed that the valuation process complied with legislative requirements.

“The general valuation was conducted in line with the MPRA, with implementation from July 1, 2025,” said Mashigo.

He said the objection period and process were communicated through formal notices, with the evaluation roll being open for public participation from February 26 to May 2, 2025.

“Notices were published in Beeld, Pretoria News and the Government Gazette,” he said.

Mashigo said 207 objections were received in Ward 82, while 5 173 objections were lodged citywide.

Addressing concerns about delays, Mashigo said all objections have been finalised, with some notices still outstanding due to incorrect information.

“There are still 150 notices that will be sent out within the next two weeks,” he said.

On prepaid electricity deductions, Mashigo said the practice is permitted under the city’s credit control policy and Electricity By-law.

He clarified that while the National Treasury and the AG promote sound revenue management, they do not issue direct instructions to deduct arrears from prepaid purchases.

Mashigo added that accounts with registered disputes are protected.

“Once a dispute is registered, the account is flagged and excluded from credit control measures until the matter is resolved,” Mashigo said.

Residents are encouraged to lodge disputes through the city’s customer care channels and to continue making payments where possible to avoid further financial strain.

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