Questions raised over mayor’s undervalued Heidelberg home

Property owners in the Lesedi local municipality, Gauteng, have voiced concerns regarding the assessed value of a home owned by Mayor Mluleki Nkosi in Berg En Dal, Heidelberg Extension 12. Residents allege the property is significantly undervalued compared to its current market worth.

Concerns Mount Over Valuation

According to residents who spoke on condition of anonymity, Mayor Nkosi purchased the erf in June 2019 for R640 000, reportedly paying in cash. He subsequently constructed a double-storey home on the property. Despite these substantial improvements, the municipal valuation roll currently lists the property’s value at R800 000.

One resident stated the market value of the property is closer to R3.5 million. Records from Windeed Property confirm Nkosi and his first wife are the registered owners, having acquired the property in March 2020 for the initial purchase price of R640 000.

Did You Know? Mayor Nkosi’s property, encompassing approximately 2 065m², includes a double-storey house, double garages and enlarged paved parking areas.

The new municipal valuation roll was implemented in 2023, with a supplementary roll approved in 2025 to account for improvements made since then. Residents question whether preferential treatment may have been applied in the valuation process.

Awaiting High Court Judgment

These concerns arise as property owners in the Lesedi municipality await a reserved judgment from the High Court in Johannesburg regarding the legality of the municipality’s new valuation roll. The case was argued on November 27, 2025.

In October, reports indicated the Gauteng provincial government, through MEC Jacob Mamabolo of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), retroactively excused the municipality from adhering to proper legal procedures in implementing the 2024-29 general valuation roll. This condonation occurred shortly before the High Court was scheduled to hear the challenge to the roll’s legality on November 24.

Expert Insight: The timing of the Gauteng provincial government’s condonation raises questions about the fairness and transparency of the valuation process, particularly as it occurred so close to the High Court hearing.

Residents report incurring legal costs “in the hundreds to thousands of rands” to contest what they deem an illegal evaluation. Mayor Nkosi directed inquiries to the municipal manager, who had not responded at the time of reporting.

House Previously Built for Former Mayor

A separate instance of municipal spending has also drawn scrutiny. A house built for former mayor Lerato Maloka, now the mayor of Sedibeng, on stands 1812 and 1813 in Bergsig, Extension 9, Heidelberg, was abandoned after more than R1.8 million was spent on construction.

Lawyer and local resident Bouwe Wiersma stated the stands were never consolidated, and the structure remains incomplete. An attempt to auction the property for R850 000 failed due to these issues. Wiersma characterized the incomplete building as evidence of wasteful expenditure approved by council members.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did Mayor Nkosi purchase the erf?

Mayor Nkosi purchased the erf in June 2019 for R640 000, reportedly in cash.

What is the current municipal valuation of Mayor Nkosi’s property?

The property is currently listed on the municipality’s valuation roll at R800 000.

What was the outcome of the High Court case regarding the valuation roll?

As of the reporting date, a judgment from the High Court in Johannesburg is still pending, having been reserved on November 27, 2025.

Given the ongoing legal challenges and concerns over property valuations, what steps could the Lesedi local municipality take to restore public trust in its assessment processes?