Valuations challenged

PRINCIPLE: GAUTENG'S COGTA TAKEN TO COURT OVER LESEDI RATES, TAXES

- Sipho Mabena

The “shock condonation” by the Gauteng provincial government of Lesedi municipality’s failure to comply with the law in implementing its 2024-2029 general valuation roll has come under fire.

A letter issued by Gauteng MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) Jacob Mamabolo, dated 23 October, reportedly retroactively excused the municipality from due legal processes.

This was just weeks before the High Court in Johannesburg is due to hear a case, on 24 November, where the municipality's handling of the valuation roll is being challenged on the grounds of illegality.

Property owners and civic groups accuse Mamabolo of undermining judicial processes and shielding political allies in the Heidelberg-based municipality.

At the heart of the dispute is Lesedi’s alleged breach of Section 49, read with Section 32 of the Municipal Property Rates Act, which requires transparent public participation before implementing a new valuation roll.