Mnquma Local Municipality has urged ratepayers and property owners to fully co-operate with the general valuation process and compilation of general valuation roll, that are scheduled to commence soon in Butterworth, Ngqamakwe and Centane towns which form the local municipality.
According to municipal spokesperson, Loyiso Mpalantshane, the general valuation process will ensure that ratepayers were not being overcharged for their properties, whilst also assisting to ascertain that what ratepayers pay is in line with the size of their structures.
The municipality has appointed Black Dot Property Consultants as a service provider to oversee the process on its behalf.
Mpalantshane said,
The municipality is also hosting public consultations on the general valuation process which started on October 18, at Butterworth Town Hall.
Public consultations are set to continue today, October 19, at Centane Town Hall at 11:00 and in Ngqamakwe on October 20, from 10:00. The invitation for public consultations is extended to all citizens who hold a title deed, including those who are indigent and are exempted from paying municipal rates.
“During the process, appointed Valuers will be visiting the Mnquma towns of Centane, Ngqamakwe and Butterworth, all our townships and registered properties in rural areas, such as farms, public schools, clinics or businesses including other public infrastructure facilities that have been surveyed and registered with the deeds office,” added Mpalantshane.
Every household that is registered with the deeds office is, by law, obliged to pay rates for a service provided by the municipality.
The local municipality currently has 3 351 indigent people currently registered on its database, with a large chunk being made up of rural residents who do not pay rates but also get free electricity.
It further has 9 600 properties registered in both urban and rural areas, but its billing office cannot quantify how much are currently paying their rates.
The general valuation process will come into effect in July 2024.
