By Zweli Martin Dlamini

MATSAPHA:Lucky Sukati,the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of the Matsapha Municipality has been accused of instructing evaluators to inflate the value of properties with an alleged intention to collect more rates or revenue from property owners.

This is contained in a petition signed by about three hundred(300) owners of giant companies and other high profile emaSwati who own properties within the densely populated Matsapha industrial town.

“Our properties have seen significant valuation increases, as noted in the tax invoices dated 01/04/2023 and 01/04/2025. An example could be, the valuation of one of the properties increased from SZL 643,000.00 to SZL 900,000.00. This property for example has an increase of 35.5% which is too high given that it has no new structure. This valuation adjustment has a direct impact on the property rates we are expected to pay,” reads the petition in part.

Reached for comments, the CEO said he was rushing to church and he will respond thereafter.

“I am rushing to church, will respond thereafter”, he said.

Responding to the ratepayers through a letter, the Matsapha CEO said, he was acting within the legal framework,he dismissed the concerns raised by the residents and giant companies.

“After careful deliberation, council regrets to inform you that, under the provisions of the Rating Act of 1995 of Eswatini, the council is not empowered to suspend rates payments or waive interest accruing on overdue payments. The Act clearly stipulates the framework within which rates and tariffs are levied, collected, and managed, and does not provide for the temporary suspension of payments or interest waivers outside the established procedures, due to legal impediments.While we acknowledge your concerns and the importance of fair rates, we must adhere to the legal framework governing local government finances. Consequently, your requests for withholding payments and waiving interest cannot be accommodated at this time, however you reserve the rights to escalate the matter. We encourage you to continue engaging with the council through the appropriate channels should there be any further questions or issues you wish to raise for clarity. Our aim remains to serve the community’s best interests within the bounds of the law,” he said through the letter.