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Premier David Makhura has expressed his deep concern about the proposed exorbitant property rates increase in the City of Johannesburg following the release of its municipal valuations recently. The proposals have been met with an overall outcry by residents whose properties have been re-valued in certain instances by over 100%.

These rate hikes will in no doubt put financial strain on the residents who are already buckling under financial pressure due to the weak economic environment.

“As I said in the the State of the Province Address, life has been tough for many of our residents, the price of food, electricity and transport has been sky-rocketing, placing enormous stress on family finances,  these rates increases will negatively affect the real income of families”, Premier Makhura said.

The Premier also added that there can be no justification for these increases which will no doubt have disastrous ends for rate payers. “I hope the Council is listening to the reactions of the ratepayers and will take their views into consideration when it takes its final decision on the matter”, the Premier added.

The Premier will meet with Mayor Herman Mashaba to discuss this further and will appeal to him to ensure that Johannesburg residents are not unduly overburdened with unjustified rate hikes.

Issued by the Gauteng Provincial Government