Victoria Falls property evaluation starts

VICTORIA Falls City Council will starting today conduct an evaluation of its properties and buildings and the exercise is expected to run until 30 September.

The city has not evaluated its properties for a long time.
Government through the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has since deployed valuation officers to work with the local authority.

In a statement, Victoria Falls City Council Town Clerk Mr Ronnie Dube urged property owners and occupants to co-operate.

It is an offence in terms of Government laws to prevent local authority officials from carrying out valuation exercise which is critical in coming up with a valuation roll and establishing the city’s net worth and economic activity.

According to the last valuation exercise, the resort city had about 8 000 properties.
“The city of Victoria Falls in terms of Section 237 of the Urban Councils Act intends to do a valuation roll. The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works valuation officers have been assigned to carry out property inspections from 17 July 2023 to 30 September 2023,” said Mr Dube.

“In terms of Section 239, valuation officers assigned by the town clerk shall have powers to enter at all reasonable hours of the day into and upon any property within the council area for the purpose of valuation or assessing the property.”
Mr Dube advised all property owners to avail their premises for the exercise. He said a 24-hour notice will be given to owners and occupiers before valuators access the property.

In terms of Section 240 of the Urban Councils Act, valuation officers may require owners or occupiers or any person in charge of any property in the council area to furnish them with the necessary information to enable the collection of correct value or assess the property, including names of owners or occupiers.

“This notice serves to notify owners and occupiers of the property of the intention to enter premises. The officers will be carrying identity cards and letters. Council anticipates maximum cooperation from owners and occupiers,” said Mr Dube.
“Any person who obstructs or hinders a valuation officer or wilfully omits to give information shall be guilty of an offence in terms of the Urban Councils Act.”

Victoria Falls gained city status on 9 December 2020, becoming the first city in Matabeleland North and also the first city based on tourism in the country.–@ncubeleon