Makhado (Louis Trichardt) taxpayers made it very clear on Monday that they want a say when it comes to the Makhado Municipality’s decision-making powers, especially with regards to matters directly affecting the taxpayer.

A meeting was called at the Ferdie Beyers Hall, attended by members of the taxpaying community and representatives from, amongst others, the Chairperson’s Association (CA), the Soutpansberg Chamber of Commerce and the TAU SA-North region. The meeting was a direct result of a visit by the TAU SA-North and other community members to Swartruggens in November last year and will ultimately see the establishment of a local ratepayers’ association.

Using Swartruggens as a guideline, the proposed ratepayers association will act as a pressure group, taking Council to task on matters and processes which taxpayers deem as undemocratic. As with Swartruggens, where taxpayers started a process of withholding taxes, the local ratepayers’ association will reserve the right to do the same.

The go-ahead for the establishment of such an organization was given on Monday and a steering committee was elected to make the necessary arrangements for the establishment of what will be known as the Soutpansberg Ratepayers’ Association. The committee consists of Ben Harris, Carel Breytenbach, Bertus Petzer, Dopper Kruger, Annerie Muller, Herman Smith and Frans Malan.

One of the first problems being tackled by the fledgling ratepayers association, with the help of roleplayers such as the TAU SA, the CA and the Chamber of Commerce, is Council’s proposed implementation of the new Property Rates Policy later this year. Resistance against Council’s proposed implementation dates back to November 2005, with the CA and TAU SA heading up the battle. Council is accused of not following proper procedure in approving the new policy, which many believe will have far-reaching consequences for ratepayers who might not be able to afford the new rates, resulting in their losing their property.

Monday’s meeting was followed by a protest meeting with the Makhado Municipality on Tuesday. During this meeting, representatives from the TAU SA, the Soutpansberg District Agricultural Union, the different farmers’ associations, the Chamber of Commerce, religious groupings, the CA and others, handed over written objections against the proposed implementation of the new policy to senior members of the municipality. These objections were received by Council’s Director Community Services, Mr Peter Magwala. The municipal manager, Ms Faith Muthambi, did not attend the meeting. Several promises to review the proposed new policy were made by the senior officials.

But, as Mr Dries Joubert (Chairman of the TAU SA-North) pointed out afterwards, these officials do not have the mandate to change a Council resolution. He said only the Council as a whole can change an approved resolution and, until they do so, the official’s promises will remain empty. He urged Council to put a halt to the process and warned them not to underestimate the power and influence of the various interest groups. In the same breath, he invited Council to join hands with them to ensure that the process be handled correctly.

More information and the date for the official establishment of the Soutpansberg Ratepayers Association will be made available at a later stage.