Ethekwini’s new rates unaffordable

YOUR front-page lead story “Rates scheme probed” (Sunday Tribune, August 12), refers.

As the ethekwini Municipality’s financial year-end is already upon us and residents have braced themselves for increases in household tariffs, many of us are still awaiting outcomes to the objections we made to our property evaluations.

It must be noted that the value of our property plays a vital role in determining the rates we pay to the municipality.

When the municipality released its valuation roll last year, it encouraged property owners to inspect the roll and lodge an objection in instances where they felt the valuations were either too high or too low.

It is really important for homeowners to check any new general valuation roll compiled by the ethekwini Municipality and file objections if they believe the valuation of their property to be wrong. If we don’t do this, we could end up paying far too much each month or even being forced out of our homes because the new rates are unaffordable.

Therefore we are really concerned at the allegations of officials in the municipality tinkering with rates evaluations.

The objection process closed in May last year. I handed in my objection over 15 months ago and to date I have still not received any feedback.

Why it is taking the municipality so long to process our objections is anyone’s guess.

But what is really annoying is that our official opposition in council, the DA, is missing in action. The DA fails dismally in its oversight role and to flex its muscles in council.

BRIAN WATSON umhlanga Rocks