Tsholotsho RDC engages ratepayers over payment of bills

August 6, 2024

Tsholotsho RDC engages ratepayers over payment of bills

Fortune Nkomo

TSHOLOTSHO business and residential property owners have been urged to pay outstanding and current service charges.
Speaking at a community engagement meeting held at the Roman Catholic Hall on 1 August, Tsholotsho Rural District Council treasurer Dr Brighton Malandule challenged Tsholotsho business and residential property owners to commit themselves to paying their bills.

He said: “The billing system is dead, and if the local authority does not collect revenue as anticipated, the authority will automatically face consequences, and there won’t be any development.”
The council has been struggling to raise adequate funds to render services in Efusini, Hlalani Kuhle, Hololo, and Mvundlana suburbs.

The local authority had budgeted to raise US$1,9 million for the year 2024 through the selling of new stands.
However, no stands have been sold as it is a crime to sell unserviced land. Chapter 20:18 of the Regional, Town and Country Planning Act (1996), section 68 prohibits the sale of unserviced land in urban areas and makes it an offence punishable by a fine or imprisonment.
In that regard, the Council is obliged to first service stands by engaging private developers with the local government overseeing the processes.

Dr Malandule said to ensure that service delivery improves, homeowners and the business community should play a pivotal role in supporting the council by paying service charges that are pegged at US$144 for high-density suburbs, US$178 for medium-density suburbs and US$216 for low-density suburbs annually.

The community complained of the council’s high bills and was against prosecution of those failing to pay on time.
Ratepayers said 2024 is a difficult year as people are suffering from devastating El-Nino-induced drought.
They requested the council to come up with a payment plan for the amounts they owe.

It was resolved at the meeting that the local authority would make use of Zone Leaders to create a database of properties with owners who avoid payments of lease and service charges.