The Lesedi Local Municipality has gone ahead with implementing the Property Valuation Roll despite it being declared invalid by the Johannesburg High Court. The court found that the municipality had failed to comply with mandatory public notice requirements under the under the Municipal Property Rates Act before implementing the new roll. The municipality has appealed the court’s judgment, which means residents will continue to pay high rates and taxes for their properties. The application to appeal was heard recently, and the judgment remains reserved.
Residents of Lesedi have found no protection from Lesufi’s government. Instead of advising against the appeal and intervening to stop it, COGTA MEC Jacob Mamabolo and Finance MEC Nkululeko Dunga are backing the municipality’s decision, leaving struggling residents to bear the cost.
In response to questions from the DA tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), MEC Mamabolo stated that the Lesedi Municipality formally notified his department about the court ruling and its potential impact on the municipality’s revenue projections. However, no action was taken to intervene before the appeal. This shows that Lesufi’s government cares little about the plight of Lesedi residents; what matters to them is collecting money from the residents while providing no services.
In an attempt to avoid responsibility, MEC Mamabolo indicated that the MEC for Finance, Nkululeko Dunga, is responsible for approving the budget in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
See the reply here.
The publication of the property valuation roll did not follow the correct procedures, and residents of Lesedi had to dig into their own pockets to take the matter to court. It is concerning that MEC Dunga allowed this budget to pass, while knowing that the proper procedures were not followed.
Lesedi Local Municipality struggles to deliver adequate basic services to residents. Recently, the house of the mayor was attacked, while a resident lost his life while trying to collect water for his family. Water, electricity, and access to basic health services are rights enshrined in the Constitution. However, in Lesedi, these rights appear to be optional.
The situation in Lesedi is untenable and cannot continue anymore. The DA Gauteng has already written to MEC Mamabolo, and we are yet to receive a response to our request. Through the Portfolio Committees of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and Finance, we will engage the departments on this matter.
The DA-led Lesedi Local Municipality administration would immediately implement the court order and restart the property valuation roll process, ensuring that all residents participate.