Regular listeners to Jacaranda FM will probably have heard the advert in which the Mbombela Municipality informs it residents of the fact that valuators are going round within the municipality with a view to establishing a valuator’s roll of properties in the area. This way of doing is in stark contrast to the way in which the whole matter was handled in Louis Trichardt.

Locally, the valuator’s roll was compiled with the aid of aerial photographs, maps and computer-assisted mass appraisal systems. The local municipality did not feel the need for physical inspections by valuators. The inspectors in Mbombela are employed by a specialist firm, CB Richard-Ellis Mass Appraisals, who won the tender after the Mbombela Municipality had invited tenders outlining proposals on how such a valuation could be done. The valuators had to undergo both theoretical and practical training of at least two weeks.

In terms of the process itself, the valuators operate within very specific guidelines. Their time of operation is between 07:00 and 19:00. They are not allowed to disturb residents on Sundays or public holidays. Every valuator wears a specially designed bib with the number of a call centre on it, which residents can call if they are in doubt about the identity and purpose of the valuator. They also have to carry an identity card and a letter of delegation of authority which stipulates their duty. No valuator is allowed to have a criminal record.

According to Mr Frank Theron of CB Richard-Ellis, the valuations have to be completed by January of next year, which leaves sufficient time for the administrative process to take its course. This once again raises the question of why the process was completed in such a rush locally. When asked why the municipality was going to such lengths to inform the residents of Mbombela of the process, Mr Theron indicated that experience had taught them that residents tended to become aggressive and confused if they were not kept abreast of what was happening, especially with regard to people coming to their residences nowadays.

According to Theron, the municipality felt the need to complete the valuation process as thoroughly as possible to ensure that rates to be paid by residents were commensurate with the value of their properties. To this effect, the town was divided into what is called homogenous areas, i.e. areas where residents would be expected to pay more or less the same rates. The consultants also held several meetings with the community to explain the process. In this regard, ward councillors played an important role. When there was doubt about the value of a property, estate agents were consulted.

In a related development, the Soutpansberg Ratepayers Association (SPRA) held a meeting with the appointed valuator on Saturday, May 10. The purpose of the meeting was to determine the processes employed by the valuator on behalf of the Makhado Municipality. The meeting was supposed to be attended by directors of the municipality and Ms Faith Muthambi, where some of the serious problems raised in the past by the SPRA would be addressed by the directors. Shortly before the meeting, the SPRA was told that the directors would not be attending the meeting, for a variety of reasons, and that only the valuator would attend. This is a direct breach of faith by the municipality, as it had undertaken to address the matters raised to try and find solutions to the various problems currently being experienced by residents.

At the meeting with the valuator, a submission was made by Mr Paul Perold, a well-known architect, in which he points out the discrepancy in valuation between various properties situated within the same extension (see accompanying graphic). The valuator was unable to provide the criteria which were applied to do the valuations, which once again leaves serious questions about the validity of the valuators roll.