During the current valuation process in the Makhado municipal area there were occurrences of valuers taking photos inside houses, which many residents felt was a security risk.

This week one of the owners of Risuna Properties and Valuers, Mr Kulani Nkuna, apologized for the taking of photos inside houses. “They have stopped with that practice. That was a mistake. Photos of the property should be taken from the street,” Nkuna said.

The Makhado Municipality says that the current valuation of properties will be completed by the end of January next year. The valuation is with a view to the compilation of a new valuation roll and the levying of property rates.

The municipal spokesperson, Mr Louis Bobodi, was asked whether it is a standard practice to use cameras inside houses and the complaint about the security risk was mentioned. “The size of the house is required with its image. Public notices were put in the media and in all statements that a qualified valuer will be doing a valuation roll in terms of the MPR Act,” was Bobodi’s reply. He did not, however, properly clarify the issue of photos taken inside houses. 

The Soutpansberg Ratepayers Association (SRPA) submitted a written complaint on the issue on 25 October and they have not received an answer from the municipality to date.

This practice of the taking of photos inside houses has fortunately stopped, possibly in the light of the Zoutpansberger of 15 November reporting on the issue. Unfortunately, Risuna’s valuers experienced resistance from some residents. “Some residents were very uncooperative. Some said that the newspaper reported that our valuers should not be allowed access. Some even set their dogs on us. They seemed to confuse us with municipal officials and would talk about the potholes and lack of water,” Nkuna said and added that about 50% of the residents were co-operative. (*Find below an extract from the article which urged residents to give access to valuers on certain conditions).

In the business arena, Risuna’s valuers found that most business premises were occupied by tenants who either gave the contact number of the owner of the premises or who said that they did not know the contact details. “At the farms, we found many farms owned by companies and the people were not there,” Nkuna said. 

For property owners who are concerned about how their property will be valued on the new valuation roll, Nkuna allayed some fears and said that the properties would be valued fairly and according to market value. The valuation roll process will be completed by June next year. “Property values are affected by the economy. There’s not a lot of movement in the property market except on townhouses and a few residential properties,” Nkuna said.

The chairperson of the SRPA, Ms Inga Gilfillan said that the Ratepayers would like to know the qualifications of the valuers and how they eventually arrive at the amount that they value the property for.

The municipality was asked if they could vouch for the qualifications of the individual valuers. “Yes, the tender process and security checks were done and verified,” said Bobodi.

*Gilfillan urged residents to give the valuers access into their homes, but only when they have assured themselves of the person’s identification. She also requested that residents accompany the valuer through the house.