Still no clarity on future of valuation roll

Residents are no nearer to an answer about the legality of the newly imposed municipal valuation roll.

This follows the Gauteng High Court’s judgement on 25 July that the awarding of the tender for the compilation of a 2014 to 2018 valuation roll for Makhado is set aside as it was done unfairly and unlawfully.

“We have studied the judgement. We are going to comply and conform to his instructions and report back to the judge as the matter is still sub judice.”

These two sentences were the only response received from the Makhado Municipality with regard to a media enquiry from the Zoutpansberger about the judgement. The municipality was asked whether they would abide by the High Court ruling or whether they would appeal the decision; how the setting aside of the tender impacted on the implementation of the new valuation roll; what action the municipality would take to remedy the situation; and how much of the R7 487 583 tender amount had been paid over to the tenderer, Mr Dumond Nkuna from Risuna Property Consultants, before he had withdrawn from the contract in May?

The municipality was asked these questions in an effort to enlighten residents about the road forward in terms of their property valuations. From the outset, the awarding of the tender for the compilation of the new valuation roll was marred by allegations of irregularities and fraud. This in addition to the controversy and public outcry that the completed valuation roll itself eventually sparked among residents, arguing that the valuations done were nothing more than a thumb-sucking exercise.

Although they have simply stated that they will abide by the judge's ruling, the municipality is yet to give clarity on the legality of the newly implemented valuation roll. One alternative the Zoutpansberger was able to determine, through discussions with numerous valuation experts, was that the municipality could ask the government to condone the re-implementation of the previous valuation roll. The biggest question, however, remains unanswered by the municipality: How much money did Mr Nkuna pocket before withdrawing from the contract which was awarded unfairly and unlawfully, on a fraudulent basis, to him?

News - Date: 08 August 2014

Andries van Zyl

Andries joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in April 1993 as a darkroom assistant. Within a couple of months he moved over to the production side of the newspaper and eventually doubled as a reporter. In 1995 he left the newspaper group and travelled overseas for a couple of months. In 1996, Andries rejoined the Zoutpansberger as a reporter. In August 2002, he was appointed as News Editor of the Zoutpansberger, a position he holds until today.

Email: [email protected]