Illegal Kleinfontein township gets free pass on punitive rates

The illegal settlement of Kleinfontein, located outside Pretoria, is one step closer to formalisation after a recent settlement confirmed in Pretoria High Court. This settlement provides that Kleinfontein will no longer pay property rates at a punitive rate for unpermitted use of its land and that such charges for the past two years will be reversed.

This has raised eyebrows, as Ben Espach, head of valuations at Rates Watch, believes other properties classified as "unpermitted use" for property rates purposes could also seek a similar reprieve. However, the Kleinfontein Residents Association (KIV) expressed confusion as to why the settlement was made an order in the judge's chambers without their knowledge, while they had already filed an application to join the litigation and were still waiting for a response.