LIMPOPO – Following violent protests in Mankweng yesterday (Wednesday) regarding municipal property assessment rates and billing, Polokwane Mayor, Thembi Nkadimeng met with community leaders yesterday afternoon.
Also present was Capricorn Mayor, Gilbert Kganyago as well as representatives of Sanco, EFF, ANC and Cosas.
Speaking about the meeting this morning, Nkadimeng said she has a special love for Mankweng as she spent a lot of time growing up there. “I will never wish Mankweng away.”
Nkadimeng said the meeting was fruitful and all parties involved left the table with a good understanding. She said the Mankweng community leaders will now report back to the community, get feedback and then revert to her office with a decision on whether they will accept the Polokwane Municipality’s offer that is on the table.
Nkadimenge explained that the protesters have two main issues namely, alleged incorrect billing for services and having to pay property assessment rates.
She explained that in putting certain laws in place, government has taken the poor into consideration. “No one with an RDP house will have to pay property assessment rates on their home. These rates only apply for property worth R100 000 and more. Anyone who has been charged property assessment rates for property worth less than R100 000 should come forward and we will write the account off,” Nkadimeng promised.
She further said the offer discussed in the meeting yesterday is not new, and has been discussed and agreed upon on previous occasions.
She said consumers could not expect their bills to be written off in their entirety. “First of all, there is no doubt that sewage and refuse removal must be paid for. While water bills and assessment rates are in question, we are prepared to waive these costs for now. The interest outstanding will also be written off. Furthermore, we are prepared to give an up to 40% rebate on the remaining amount outstanding on an account and we will allow the consumer to make arrangements to pay outstanding debt off,” Nkadimeng explained.
“Yes, we had billing challenges due to technical difficulties with the system but we have fixed this,” she continued.
She said Council had resolved during a meeting that took place on 28 January that debt reviews will be done on outstanding accounts household by household and business by business. “Some accounts have not been paid for eight years.”
She explained the municipality cannot have a blanket approach on all outstanding debt. “If a poor person has been charged assessment rates, lets negotiate, but if for example, it is a place like a university, we can’t write that debt off. We will switch off utilities and they must pay.
“This includes government departments. If money is owed, it must be paid,” Nkadimeng said.
She said the municipality will visit each community to sort out outstanding debt for each household. “We started in Seshego and we are coming to Mankweng. I have agreed with Mankweng’s leadership that on a date agreed on, we will go there and deal with each and every account one by one.
“We do not want to kill our people. We know there is a high rate of unemployment. The municipality also has a responsibility to assist people.
“The municipality is committed to all the communities it serves. We are here to serve you and we will never get tired of doing so. There will be a solution. I have never been taught to quit. I don’t,” she concluded.
Currently the situation in Mankweng is quiet and stable, with the police still monitoring the situation.
Read more:
Mankweng businesses still closed due to protest
[VOICE CLIP] Protests in Mankweng are under control say police
