The City of Cape Town has collected R270 095,57 from the sale in execution of a vacant property in Plattekloof which was sold for R1.3 million. The sale in execution was as a result of the non-payment of municipal debts.
The City of Cape Town has collected R270 095,57 from the sale in execution of a vacant property in Plattekloof which was sold for R1.3 million. The sale in execution was as a result of the non-payment of municipal debts.“We are sending out a clear message that those who can afford to pay, must pay. We thank all of our hardworking ratepayers for their contributions, which is part of the reason why this City is the best run in the country. Those who have the means but are refusing to pay their dues are doing a disservice to every resident in Cape Town,” says the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Alderman Ian Neilson.
The property owner in question owns a number of properties across the city. These properties are owned by a family trust, operating as different entities, but the common characteristic is the long history of non-payment.
During the past 18 months, the City has had two of the owner’s other properties up for sale in execution. These actions were, however, cancelled as the judgment debt was paid in full the day before the scheduled sale in execution.
"As an administration, we realise that the culture of payment is a non-negotiable pillar of a financially sustainable city. While we understand that many of our residents must be helped through debt management programmes, such as our indigent policies, there are some who have the ability to pay but who refuse to do so. It is often only the threat of a sale in execution that brings the settlement of the debt. This case shows that we will impose tough sanctions on those who flout their responsibilities," says Neilson.
Print
