Illegal property blitz

TSHWANE: MORE THAN 713 OWNERS TO BE SLAPPED WITH PENALTY RATES

- Antoinette Slabbert

The Tshwane city council has approved the implementation of penalty rates on 713 property owners identified by the administration for illegal land use and failure to take remedial action.

This includes some illegal developments as well as individual properties that are being used for purposes in contravention of the current zoning.

These properties will now be recategorised for rates purposes as "unpermitted use" and the owners compelled to pay penalty rates.

Ben Espach, director at Rates Watch, previously said the rates for a residential property valued at R1 million amount to R1 016 per month, before applying any rebates. If the same property is classified as non-permitted use, this would increase to R7 628 per month (based on 2023-24 tariffs).

Missing property rates Republican Conference of Tshwane councillor Lex Middelberg said the cash-strapped metro was missing out on more than R3 billion in property rates by failing to impose penalty rates on nearly 20 identified illegal developments comprising almost 20 000 "erven".

The current Tshwane administration has seemingly taken this to heart and resolved to act.

Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya recently appointed a sub-committee to develop a response to the increasing illegal developments.

A report by the sub-committee, which is expected to serve before council later this month, acknowledges penalty rates as one option, but seems hesitant in this regard.

One other option it proposes is to demolish illegal structures – more than 10 000 houses.

Member of the mayoral committee for economic development and spatial planning Sarah Mabotsa has in the meantime obtained council approval for imposing penalty rates on 713 non-compliant property owners.

Severe implications

"The non-permitted land use activities range from unauthorised commercial activities in residential zones, through to illegal construction and land encroachments," says Mabotsa.