Valuation roll flawed – RAG

RAG (Residents Action Group) has called on the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) to halt the implementation of the flawed 2021 to 2025 Ekurhuleni Property Valuation Roll.

Residents have until July 18 to contest their proposed new property valuations.

The NPO believes errors on this roll will result in homeowners (including RDP homeowners) and commercial property owners facing huge hikes in their rates with effect from July 1.

RAG representation said until the complaints, inaccuracies and lack of credibility of the roll, including legal irregularities and non-compliance with the Municipal Property Rates Act, have been addressed, it expects the City use the previous Ekurhuleni Property Valuation Roll.

The organisation pointed out that one political party had already filed a motion in council for the City to extend the period for which the current valuation roll remains valid while the new roll is reviewed.

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The motion was dismissed in the City’s council meeting.

The motion brought before the council highlighted several issues with the proposed valuation roll, including the emittance of properties.

Other issues highlighted by the motion was that some commercial property rates would decrease up to 80%, while others would increase by up to 2 615%.

In the motion it was stated a similar trend could be seen in the valuations of residential property values.

According to RAG, RDP houses increased between 50% and 100%, according to the valuation roll.

The group has also said that the motion stated the valuation rolls open for public participation were not signed by the designated municipal valuer and that there was no evidence available on the appointment date of such a valuer.

In the motion, it was also stated Section 49 letters were delivered without CoE GV21 Section 49 notice and the contractor appointed to deliver the letters failed to ensure they were delivered safely, while some letters were dropped at incorrect addresses and properties.

In an attempt to stop the implementation of the valuation roll, RAG has met with legal specialists to plan the way forward.

RAG’s legal action will include calling for a detailed record of the tender process for the outsourced company that undertook the valuations.

RAG understands that Opti and Black Dot JV was the company the municipal valuations were outsourced to by the City.

According to RAG, one query that needs clarity is that the name of one of the company directors is the same as a member of the Valuation Appeals Boards of several local municipalities.

While residents have until June 18 to lodge their objections, objecting also does not mean a financial lifeline.

Residents will still have to pay rates according to the valuation roll from July 1, unless a financial arrangement can be made with the Department of Finance.

“This is not acceptable,” said the chairperson for RAG Marina Constas.

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