DA wades into rates matter

KLEINFONTEIN: SOLUTION PROPOSED TO WOES BESETTING 'BOERE-AFRIKANER' SETTLEMENT

- Antoinette Slabbert

The DA has entered the ring in the dispute about the punitive rates the City of Tshwane imposed on the illegal "Boere-Afrikaner" settlement of Kleinfontein last September and underrecovery on other illegal developments in the metro.

Moneyweb earlier reported that the property rates of the settlement, which was developed on agricultural land in contravention of town planning laws, were recategorised from "agriculture" to "non-permitted use".

The recategorisation means that punitive rates of 7.5 times the residential rate apply, instead of the discounted rates for land used for agricultural purposes that previously applied.

In addition, the property valuation has drastically increased in the published general valuation roll, which is open for objections.

The local residents' association has estimated that Kleinfontein's Property Rates Bill on the section of the settlement where the 600-odd houses were built will increase from R5 230 to R126 148 per month.

The management of Kleinfontein refers to a 6 000% increase and has lodged a dispute.

It has vowed to go to court if unsuccessful.

Multiple illegal developments Lex Middelberg, member of the city council for the Republican Conference of Tshwane, pointed out in a letter to city manager Johann Mettler that Kleinfontein was but one of at least 19 illegal developments.