Please be advised that we, a group of ratepayers from Umtentweni, object to the UIP being forced upon us.
At a meeting held at the Port Shepstone Country Club on July 4, 2024, we were told that UIP membership would be compulsory and that, if we don’t pay the R100 fee, it will be deducted from our rates account when we sell our property.
The fact is that we will not get a rates clearance and won’t be able to sell the property without a clearance.
This UIP is not a rates function and should not be deducted or paid to the rates account.
The municipality should be performing these duties, and that’s why we pay property rates and taxes.
This matter will cause many of our retired pensioners who can’t afford this extra amount to fall into arrears on their rates account, as they can barely afford all services such as water, sanitation, refuse removal, and electricity.
The UIP funds will also increase annually with the rates increase, eventually making it unreachable for our old citizens who live off a government pension and putting them into unforeseen debt, creating much financial stress.
We advise that you please do not consider or entertain the proposal of the UIP as a matter of urgency to keep peace in our little haven of Umtentweni where we live.
GEORGE VAN NIEKERK
Tweni resident
HAVE YOUR SAY
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