Commercial and residential property owners can breathe a sigh of relief as the Siyathemba community, supported by the Democratic Alliance (DA), has won a decades long battle against exorbitant property rates.
The struggle started in 2014, after it came to light that Siyathemba’s property rates were about three times more than the property rates charged in similarly sized towns, with the same average population size.
After years of persistence, council approved the revised tariffs two weeks ago. The tariffs factor was adjusted downwards from 0,028 to 0,012. This means, for example, that for a house valued at R1 million, property rates will decrease from R2400 per month to R1000.
All parties involved agree that due to the difficult economic times, rates cuts were necessary. Money saved on property rates will also go a long way towards offering financial relief to households and businesses, that are under strain due to increased living costs.
The DA applauds community stakeholders, Johan Botes of the Siyathemba Besigheidkamer, and Johan Henning, chairperson of Afriforum in Prieska, for taking the lead in the fight for fair rates for Siyathemba. We also thank the Mayor, Andrew Zolile West and the new Municipal Manager of Siyathemba, Thomas van Staden, whose cooperation has enabled the municipality to swiftly deal with this legacy matter.