The property evaluation debacle of 2021 has reared it’s head again this past week, with the Drakenstein Municipality sticking to it’s guns about the deflated valuations of rural (farming) properties, using “spin-doctoring” tactics to deny any claims of wrongdoing. But what the municipality has been steering away from are the extremely high valuations which hit urban households.
Especially those in gated villages, who were shocked to see their rates had increased from 12% to as much as 27%.
Compared to other surrounding municipalities Drakenstein has exceptionally high property rates, 18% more than in Cape Town and 57% more than in Stellenbosch.
On top of all of this, economically bruised residents are in for another hike in 2025. Already we are paying dearly for water and electricity, sewage services, refuse removal, and more in the valley.
Municipalities are supposed to use the income generated from property tax to fund non-revenue-generating municipal services, such as road maintenance, fire services, law enforcement, soup kitchens and the upkeep of sports fields and parks.
One battles to see where rates and taxes are going to nowadays. Can it be that the Drakenstein Municipality is simply stealing from Peter to give to Paul?
