The DA welcomes the progress made by the multi-party coalition government to finalise the City of Ekurhuleni’s 2021-2025 property valuation roll.

ALSO READ: Weltevreden landfill reopens months after fire incident

Giving a rundown on the work done so far to finalise the roll, Finance and Economic Development MMC Graham Gersbach also announced key options for Ekurhuleni property owners to address the serious concerns that many property owners in the City have experienced in finalising the valuation process.

“The process, which commenced during the previous Council term, has been fraught with difficulty and controversy with many residents complaining about inaccurate and erratic valuations to their properties,” said Alta de Beer, DA member of the finance oversight committee in Ekurhuleni.

“The multi-party coalition is sensitive to the issues that residents have experienced, and the DA welcomes MMC Gersbach’s communication that maps out the options available to residents who wish to contest their valuation.”

Residents, who have not yet done so, can submit an appeal to the Valuation Appeals Board. The forms are available at https://www.ekurhuleni.gov.za/residents/forms/valuation-objection-forms.html.

For further options, a fully documented process is now available on the City of Ekurhuleni website for the five most likely scenarios facing a property owner. Residents are advised to approach certified private valuers or area specialist estate agents if they are unsure of the value of their properties, as many objections received have not been accompanied by proper market evidence. Residents are reminded that March 3 is the cut-off date for submitting objections.

In addition, the DA welcomes the appointment of the Valuation Appeals Board as advised by the MEC for Co-operative Government and Traditional Affairs, Lebogang Maile, to the Mayor, Tania Campbell, in a letter received recently.

“MMC Gersbach has requested an opportunity to address the appeals board to see if the process can be fast-tracked and if appeals can be submitted electronically and will keep residents and other property owners informed of further developments in this regard.

“The DA empathises with residents who have been subjected to perceived unfair property valuations; however, as a party we have full confidence in MMC Gersbach’s plan to rectify the issue.

“In addition, we welcome the multi-party coalition’s commitment to accountability, transparency and good governance in providing a framework toward an amicable and reasonable solution to the 2021-2025 valuation roll,” said de Beer.