Pensioners urge City to change rebates threshold

07 February 2017

 

Pensioners have expressed unhappiness about the R2-million threshold the City of Johannesburg has put in place for them to qualify for property rates rebates.

 

Speaking at a Property Rates Policy review meeting at the Midrand Fire Station on Monday night, a Ward 112 resident wanted to know why senior citizens whose properties were valued at more than R2-million did not qualify for pensioner rebates.

“Why am I not qualifying for a pensioner rebate? This is totally unfair. I can’t alter the value of my property just to fit the criteria,” said the property owner.

Another resident complained about his services having been cut. “Services such as water and electricity supply have been cut for almost two weeks now. This is why we have come to this meeting. When we report this issue at our regional offices we do not get any joy,” said the resident.

Another resident from Vorna Valley echoed the sentiments of the two ratepayers. “I would like the issue of pensioner rebates to be addressed. What is also bothering us here in Midrand is that there is long grass that is not cut. This has resulted in rampant crime. We see break-ins all the time. Streetlights have to be installed,” said the resident.

Johannesburg has 860 000 properties valued at more than R928-billion. Revenue collected from rates sits at R9.2-billion a year. More than 200 000 households have applied for rebates in Johannesburg.

In response to concerns about pensioner rebates, Veli Hlophe, the City’s Deputy Director of Policy and Revenue Enhancement, said applying a sliding scale system would not work.

“Remember, rebates are income that has to be generated. For now the bracket is R2-million. We might be able to fund reductions in 2018 when this issue will be revisited,” Hlophe said.

He said opinions and suggestions made by residents at the meeting had been noted and would be incorporated into the final document. He said service-delivery issues would be escalated to relevant departments.

The meeting was one of 21 currently being rolled out citywide to give residents an opportunity to comment on the current rates so the policy could remain sustainable and the related tariffs equitable and affordable.

Interested parties and stakeholders have until 21 February to make their voices heard. Comments can be submitted in writing to fax number 086 447 7567 or via email to ratescomments@joburg.org.za">ratescomments@joburg.org.za and pumzaj@joburg.org.za.