10/11/2023
At the beginning of the year, I made a conscious decision to stand in my truth no matter what. I decided that after having experienced the effects of no road maintenance potholes in Rynfield up the street from where I live I use the roads to get to work every day. I had 3 burst tyres on my new car which cost me 6000 Rand to fix. I went over a speed bump that had no road markings and this caused the engine mount to collapse that cost me R25000 to repair whilst having to hire a vehicle until the repairs were done another cost of R3500.00.
100 meters from where I live there has been sewerage spillage from a sewer drain that is an ongoing problem after reporting it numerous times taking 10 to 14 days to repair which is a health hazard and the stench is unbearable not to mention the slippery slide when driving over the spillage of human f***s.
When it rains there is a flood like River on the road going home hiding the potholes that I Dodge every day to avoid another burst tyre. No drainage maintenance! The rubbish in this year was not collected timeously causing a health hazard in my garage having to deal with that stench, I live in a complex so that means I dont have space to store garbage at a distance from my front door. Then the lack of electricity load shedding at peak times coming home to cook is a no go. The water crises and burst geysers having to pay excess of R1500 for excess to replace. I had to replace my fridge and its contents due to the switching on and off it damaged the fridge motor that cost me R3500.00 to replace. I DECIDED TO WITHOLD PAYING RATES AND TAXES and see where it takes me. After 7 months I received a phone call from an attorneys office telling me that I have been handed over for being indebted to the municipality for not paying the rates and taxes. Exactly what I was waiting for. Now if that is how long it takes to pick up that someone is not paying what does that say about the competency of their record keeping?
I allowed the lady to read me my rights and proceeded to ask her what am I paying rates and taxes for? Her reply “for the land” I said but I paid for the land 20 years ago why must I pay every month for the land I live in a complex, her reply “ so that ine day when you sell you can get clearance from the municipality” I asked “ yes but what am I paying rates and taxes for to get clearance?” she replies “everybody has to pay” yes I say that is true so what does the municipality do with all the millions that they receive from each home owner? She replied it is law... The conversation was senseless she couldn't even tell me what or where.
I said please email me what my rights are and tell me what I am paying for.
I received the email it was a copy paste out of proportion fonts not the same color not the same flow telling me the following:
You owe and are indebted to the municipality for non payment of rates and taxes and demanding settlement failing that legal action will be taken against me and copy and pasted why I must pay rates and taxes. This is exactly what was sent.
Rates and taxes are financial liabilities borne by the owners of immovable property which are paid on a monthly basis for basic services that are provided by the local municipality. These services include maintenance of roads, street lighting, storm drainage, sidewalks, refuse, sewerage, firefighting, etc.
None of the above has been done.
I pay sewerage and refuse separately why do I need to pay twice?
Streetlights come on during the day when they should come on at night!!!!!
I am waiting for the summons so that I can challenge the magistrate in a court of law to justify why I must pay for services not rendered. LETS SEE WHERE THIS WILL TAKE ME.
I am standing in my power as a citizen of this country for my rights.
Why do people not stand up and take their power back?
Watch this space for further developments.
I am setting a trend challenging every property owner to stand in their power and challenge the municipality in a court of law.
