Westville community embarks on a journey to claim non-promulgated property tariffs

THE Westville Ratepayers Association (WRA) is calling on homeowners of Westville to reclaim their tariffs from the municipality. This comes after the association’s investigations reveal that tariffs for the year 2005/6 to 2008/9 were not promulgated. The association said the full bench in the Mmbatho High Court in the Koster case confirmed that this can be claimed from the municipality.

ALSO READ: Westville community join forces

“The result of non-promulgation is that the property rates which were charged have been charged illegally and can be reclaimed from the municipality,” stated the association.

Following these findings, the WRA has tabled a strategy plan that is set to be discussed during the public meeting that is to be held on January 29 at the Westville Civic Centre at 14:00.
“This group is made up of people with different viewpoints, and as the WRA, we respect each person’s viewpoint. But, and a big BUT, the time has now come to make a bold stand and hold the senior officials of this City accountable.

ALSO READ: Westville market is abuzz with local products

“The WRA is over a year old, and we have been actively engaging this municipality regarding service delivery or the lack thereof. In our discussions with the municipality, we stated our concerns and also offered solutions. Some were taken, and many were dismissed. We raised our concerns regarding the substandard work carried out by contractors employed by the City with no resolve to improve,” they said.

Furthermore, WRA claims that they have written many emails requesting a formal meeting with the mayor and City manager. “The response was silence.”

They raised concerns about what they see as the results of the lack of service delivery. “Preferred tendering is resulting in poor service to residents with many of these contractors performing the work without the correct PPE and experience. In some instances, jobs not carried out have been submitted for payments.

ALSO READ: Westville residents air their frustration

“Many have been expressing their frustrations here on this group regarding the unavailability of the call centre. It is no coincidence. The City officials cannot and do not know what to do,” they stated.

The association called on the community to join them in this meeting to discuss the strategy and have a clear way forward.