Fears rise of KSD property valuations action

Fears are rising in Mthatha that KSD is again trying to double property valuations in order to fleece ratepayers.

The municipality tried to calm the situation on Wednesday, saying all valuations would be done by the book.

There was an uproar in 2014 when it emerged that the proposed roll – which sets the rates for what property owners must pay – doubled the value of properties, which ratepayers said was grossly inflated.

That valuation process came to a halt in 2014, when the Mthatha Ratepayers and Residents Association (MRRA) wrote to provincial co-operative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) MEC Fikile Xasa calling for his intervention.

Xasa ruled in favour of the MRRA and told KSD to set the roll aside as it was flawed. KSD then reverted to the old roll.

On Wednesday Cogta spokesperson Mamnkeli Ngam urged KSD to explain to the public why the 2014 valuation roll was not implemented.

MRRA spokesperson Madyibi Ngxekana accused KSD of trying to force a roll down their throats by holding a meeting last month attended by only 11 ratepayers, and then cancelling a second meeting.

On Wednesday municipal spokesperson Sonwabo Mampoza confirmed that the valuation process was continuing, saying KSD was dealing with all the objections lodged in 2014.

He dismissed the concerns of the MRRA, adding KSD’s appeals board was set to sit from August 20 to 24.

“We received about 1,852 objections in 2014. People must not panic as we are only at an initial stage with regard to the new roll for 2019 to 2023.”

Mampoza said they were busy with the public participation process, and everything would be done according to law. In 2014 some property prices had soared due to market prices at the time. He revealed that a valuer had not yet been appointed. “We have to consult the public as part of the process before we appoint a valuer.”

Ngxekana said the attempt in 2014 to double many property values was a ploy to bring in higher rates. “Some of the houses were not physically inspected by the valuer. The valuations were thumbsucked.

“People suddenly found themselves with a ballooning rates bill, which is why we had objected back then. But now, even before they resolve those objections, they want to forge ahead with a new one.”

According to the Municipal Property Rates Act, a municipality must declare a period of no less than 30 days for property owners to lodge objections, and also ensure that the roll is available to the public.

Ngxekana said the municipality had convened a meeting on July 23 at the Norwood Civic Centre, where ratepayers were told a new roll would come into effect on July 1 2019 and remain until 2023.

Only 11 ratepayers were there and a similar meeting in the Mthatha City Hall a day later did not happen.

In the end, KSD had promised to reschedule another meeting for a later date.

Cogta wanted KSD to take ratepayers’s feelings into account, said Ngam.

“If the 2014 valuation roll was not implemented, the reasons for the non-implementation must be made public.

“We can’t have a situation where property valuation is not supported by its residents,” said Ngam.

People must not panic as we are only at an initial stage with regard to the new roll