Chair: Hennie de Lange
The Mbombela Ratepayers Association has expressed its dissatisfaction at the way the budget consultation has been handled. For a copy of their letter to this effect, see under White River.
Here follows a lively correspondence between Adrie Smit and a member of the Mbombela local government, to do with valutations. It will be of interest to anyone questioning their valuations: (Read from the bottom up)
Hallo Desmond
Section 45 Chapter 5 of the Subject Act provides for the following:
45. (1) Property must be valued in accordance with generally recognised valuation
practices, methods and standards, and the provisions of this Act.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)-
(a) physical inspection of the property to be valued is optional; and
(b) comparative, analytical and other systems or techniques may be used,
including aerial photography and computer-assisted mass appraisal systems
or techniques, taking into account changes in technology and valuation
systems and techniques.
(3) (a) If the available market-related data of any category of rateable property is not
sufficient for the proper application of subsections (1) and (2), such property may be
valued in accordance with any mass valuation system or technique approved by the
municipality concerned, after having considered any recommendations of its municipal
valuer and as may be appropriate in the circumstances.
(b) A mass valuation system or technique that may be approved by a municipality in
terms of paragraph (a) includes a valuation system or technique based on predetermined
bands of property values and the designation of properties to one of those bands on the
basis of minimal market-related data.
It will be highly appreciated if you can kindly confirm if the municipality approved any mass valuation system or technique? Since, it is confirmed that I did not find any record of such an approval included in the documents delivered to me. This is also not covered in the Council Resolution.
If indeed a mass valuation system or technique was approved by the municipality, it will be highly appreciated if full details (including the recommendations/motivation of the municipal valuer of such mass valuation system or technique) can be forwarded to me.
Thank you once again for all your help thus far.
Regards
Adrie
From: Desmond Mavundla [mailto:Desmond.Mavundla@mbombela.gov.za]
Sent: Monday, July 20, 2009 7:32 AM
To: Adrie van der Merwe
Cc: Bessie Pienaar; valuator@global.co.za; cwapinc@mweb.co.za; cwapinc@mweb.co.za; Albert van Zyl; info@sacpvp.co.za; bviljoen@beeld.com; solange@jacarandafm.com; nicolenes@lowvelder.co.za; Mpho Mthethwa; Oupa Mokoena
Subject: RE: Professional Status/ Registration of CBRE – CB Richard Ellis
Importance: High
Dear Adrie
In terms of section 33 of the Municipal Property Rates Act provides for the designation of the Municipal Valuer either one of its official or a person from private practice and if the municipality decides to secure the services of a person in private practice as municipal valuer, it must follow an open, competitive and transparent process in accordance with Municipal Finance Management Act. The successful bidder will be designated as its municipal valuer by the way of a written contract setting out terms and condition of the designation.
Therefore since Mbombela did not have an internal capacity or official to be designated as its Municipal Valauer, then followed an open, competitive and transparent tendering process and appointed C B Richards Ellis by signing as service level agreement setting terms and condition of the appointment. C B Richard Ellis is a firm that provides valuation services and within the contract entered into between the municipality and C B Richards Ellis, Mr. Martin Fitchet is a nominated and designated Municipal Valuer, further his credentials are in line or met the requirements in terms of section 39 of the Municipal Property Rates Act and his registration number with the SACPVP is 1373 for further verification.
Data collectors
As for the data collectors, the Act (MPRA) provides for designation of data collectors to assist the municipal valuer with the collection of data and other related work. Therefore data collectors designated by the municipal valuer in concurrent with the municipal manager were appointed as such. The valuation roll(s) are certified by the Municipal Valuer (i.e. Mr. Martin Fitchet) in terms of the requirements of the Act.
Hope the above information will assist in addressing your concerns or opinion.
Regards
Desmond Mavundla
013 759 2365
From: Adrie van der Merwe [mailto:Adrie.vanderMerwe@dpw.gov.za]
Sent: 15 July 2009 04:05 PM
To: Desmond Mavundla; Oupa Mokoena
Cc: Bessie Pienaar; valuator@global.co.za; cwapinc@mweb.co.za; cwapinc@mweb.co.za; Albert van Zyl; info@sacpvp.co.za; Buks Viljoen; solange@jacarandafm.com; nicolenes@lowvelder.co.za; Mpho Mthethwa
Subject: Professional Status/ Registration of CBRE – CB Richard Ellis
Importance: High
Dear Desmond / Oupa
You are herewith kindly requested to please provide me with some information with regard to the professional status of the municipal valuer appointed by the Council.
I have decided to do some research and follow-ups because of the many problems the community experience and enquiries I received. The reason for the enquiry is also as a result of the opinion/concerns of some local professional valuers in terms of professional conduct.
I contacted the South African Council for the Property Valuers Profession because I am having difficulty confirming the professional status of CBRE – CB Richard Ellis.
Neither Richard Ellis, nor Frank Theron is registered with the Council, as per the website information of the Council. We were also at one stage informed that data collectors assisted with the valuation but the name of the Professional Municipal Valuer has not been communicated. Martina from the Council advised that I should obtain the name/s of the municipal valuer contracted by the Municipality. In other words, who was appointed by the Municipality as the municipal valuer in terms of the requirements of the Act?
Kindly also see the letter hereto attached.
Thank you
Regards
Adrie Smit van der Merwe
083 282 2230