07 Dec 2022

The Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Mr Sethabelo Modukanele says all registered owners of residential land in the jurisdiction of Gaborone City Council whether in occupation or not are liable to pay rates.

Mr Modukanele, however, said this was with the exception of holders of Certificate of Rights (SHHA) who have not converted Fixed Period State Grants (Title Deeds). 

He said the revenue collected through payment of rates augmented the Revenue Support Grant from the ministry as part of the council’s recurrent budget.

He said Gaborone City Council billed all rateable properties in its jurisdiction and Gaborone North farms have been declared rateable.

He said the council continuously followed rates debtors to pay their rates including Gaborone North farms.

On provision of services, Mr Modukanele said the council continued to collect litter from Gaborone North properties regardless of their compliance with payment of rates.

The council further maintains earth roads handed over to the council through periodic dry grading in Gaborone North, he said.

Gaborone North MP Mr Mpho Balopi had asked whether all people who won or occupy residential land within the jurisdiction of Gaborone City Council were liable to pay rates.

He also wanted to know how the city council spends the said paid rates and the benefit Gaborone North residents derived from their compliance since they get very little services compared to some other areas of Gaborone in respect of litter collection and road maintenance.  ends