Thousands of OUTA Supporters and South Africans have responded to our call on municipalities countrywide to reduce property rates under the current state of disaster that was declared as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Why did we launch this petition, and what was the response? 

The Covid-19 pandemic is having a major financial impact on businesses and individuals and will continue to do so for several months to come. Municipalities around the country have the ability to help South Africans financially by reducing property rates on their municipal bill. 

The temporary relief that OUTA is petitioning for, is contained in the Local Government Municipal Property Rates Act 6 of 2004. Says Julius Kleynhans, OUTA Strategy & Organisation Development Executive: “Thousands of people have lost their jobs or a significant part of their income. Not all property owners can afford to keep paying property rates due to the economic fallout of Covid-19. We have received calls from people who literally have to choose between keeping food on their tables or paying property rates. Municipalities can legally assist by reducing property rates or giving temporary exemption until such time as the State of Disaster declaration has been lifted.”  

The OUTA petition closed on 20 May and we have submitted it to municipalities countrywide. See our update in the June edition.