27/08/2026
PALAPYE DISTRICT COUNCIL URGES PROPERTY OWNERS TO PARTICIPATE IN VALUATION FOR RATING PROCESS
Palapye District Council has called on property owners, particularly business, commercial and industrial property owners, to actively participate in the ongoing Valuation for Rating Project before the public commentary period closes on 4 September 2026.
Speaking at a press conference in Gaborone, Council Chairperson Hon. Kabo ketshogile said the project follows the declaration of Palapye as a rateable area by the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs in 2024. The declaration paved the way for the Council to undertake the valuation exercise, which will form the basis for the future implementation of property rates.
The project, which commenced in August 2025, has made significant progress. Stakeholder consultations, land-record data collection and field inspections have been undertaken, with data collection and inspections reaching 100 percent completion. The draft valuation roll has also been completed and integrated into the valuation software.
The Council is now at the public commentary and query stage, which officially opened on 7 August 2026. The stage provides property owners and members of the public with an opportunity to review relevant valuation information, raise queries, correct information and submit any details that may assist the valuation team before the roll is finalised.
The Council has established an online platform, "palapye.thevalua.com", where members of the public can submit queries, concerns, corrections and relevant information relating to their properties.
The Council Chairperson emphasised that public participation is critical to ensuring that the valuation roll is credible, transparent and equitable. He urged property owners not to wait until the valuation roll is finalised and gazetted before raising concerns.
“Their participation matters. Their information matters,” he said, stressing that the Council may not necessarily have all the information required to ensure an accurate valuation. The valuation roll is expected to provide a sustainable foundation for property rating and contribute to the broader national agenda of strengthening local government revenue and supporting sustainable service delivery.
The Council also clarified that the commencement of property-rate collection will depend on the availability of the necessary by-laws permitting collection. The final valuation roll is anticipated to be completed in September 2026, subject to smooth progress through the remaining stages.
The Council has therefore appealed to the people of Palapye, including those residing outside the village and elsewhere in Botswana, to take advantage of the remaining commentary period and participate in the process. Property owners are encouraged to submit their queries and information through palapye.thevalua.com before 4 September 2026.
