 | Property Valuations - Here are the facts
21 April 2023 | Press Releases |
20 April 2023
The Paarl Post, which promotes itself as the so-called “Voice of Drakenstein”, has once again misled Drakenstein’s residents with its editorial and report, “Waardasie van eiendom bekyk”, in today’s edition (20 April 2023).
The newspaper quotes Erik Marais, a director of a company that performs valuations for clients in the rural or agricultural space, as saying that in 2021 rural properties’ valuations in Drakenstein increased with 9% on average, while residential properties’ valuations increased with 20% on average. According to Mr Marais, this is “causing the Municipality to lose approximately R30 million per year” – a burden which he claims residential property owners are now carrying.
This is one of an array of unsubstantiated claims by Mr Marais, and while the Paarl Post requested and received comment by the Municipality on these claims, it chose to publish a shockingly one-sided and deceptive report. Mr Marais’s claim that residential property owners of Drakenstein are subsidising the rural sectors and are charged more, is not only farfetched but factually incorrect.
In its editorial the Paarl Post further created the impression that an independent adjudicator was appointed to possibly review all property evaluations of 2021. This is absolutely untrue. Mr Marais’s claims – based on his own opinion – relate only to the most recent valuation of Drakenstein’s rural properties, not residential properties. An independent adjudicator was appointed to assess and evaluate his claims after the Municipality had arranged for him and the current Municipal Valuer to meet, and they had a difference in professional opinion and could not reach consensus on the matter.
The newspaper further painted a picture of the Municipality being forced to its knees by a man (Mr Marais) whose own decisions during his time as Municipal Valuer received a range of queries, objections and appeals. Instead it should ask what Mr Marais’s agenda is? In which capacity is he acting by speaking at various forums. Is this appropriate while he currently serves on the Municipal Valuation Appeal Board?
What the Municipality can confirm, is that Mr Marais did approach the Municipality on various occasions regarding his opinion on the most recent valuations of Drakenstein’s rural properties, which he claimed are too low.
The Municipality then escalated his queries to the independent Municipal Valuer, with whom the Municipality has a contractual agreement and can only act within the scope and ambit of that agreement. The Municipality arranged for interactions between Mr Marais and the Municipal Valuer with senior management present - in a continued effort to resolve his claims.
Not during any of the engagements with Mr Marais did he indicate that the municipal residential valuations are too high; he always claimed that the agricultural portion’s valuations were too low. This begs the question: Is he advocating for rural property owners to pay more property tax?
Property owners of Drakenstein should note that at this stage the issues raised by Mr Marais are merely unsubstantiated claims, based on his opinion.
The Municipality further wishes to remind residents that Drakenstein Municipality – as all other metros, secondary cities and local municipalities in South Africa - is legally obligated to evaluate all properties within its municipal area every four years. Municipalities 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 sport fields and parks.
Issued by: Communication and Marketing, Drakenstein Municipality
