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Durban - The Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal has welcomed talks on the idea of municipalities taxing the Ingonyama Trust, which manages traditional land in the province.
DA spokesperson Mark Steele said on Wednesday premier Zweli Mkhize stated at a rural development summit that the issue should be addressed.
The Supreme Court of Appeal ruled last year that the trust should be exempt from paying rates to the eThekwini municipality.
King Goodwill Zwelithini is the chairperson of the trust, which owns about 2.8 million hectares of traditional land, including the major townships of uMlazi, KwaMashu, and Inanda.
"The fact that he [Mkhize] has shown a willingness to put on the table matters which so far have not been part of the official discussion shows real progress is possible in a matter with many sensitivities and vested interests," he said.
The premier knew municipalities were suffering from stunted revenue collection, largely because the Ingonyama Trust paid no rates, despite the massive investments in private property that had taken place in these areas in recent years.
"This is an unsustainable position going forward and one which must be resolved," he said.
