Ben Espach, head of valuations at Rates Watch, believes owners of other properties classified as “unpermitted use” for property rates purposes could insist on similar reprieve. The required rezoning, subdivision and township establishment never took place, but the metro council turned a blind eye for decades. In August 2024, the KIV obtained a high court order instructing the metro council to enforce the law in Kleinfontein. “It creates the opportunity to move forward together [with the metro council] in the interests of everyone involved at Kleinfontein.” Moneyweb approached the Tshwane metro council for comment but by deadline had not received a reply.