Gaborone City Council’s property tax debt book currently stands at about P500 million. This was revealed by GCC Town Clerk Lopang Pule during a signing ceremony in collaboration with Access Bank and GoSmart Value for the development of an online system designed to offer convenience by digitising property rates collection.
According to Pule, there are about 54 000 rateable properties in Gaborone, most of which are behind in paying their property taxes, which consequently slows down developments as property taxes are a major financier of the city council’s development projects.
“Council’s financing structure is in two parts; the first part is government subvention where we get financing from the government, and the second part is through the collection of levies and taxes, property taxes otherwise known as rates being one of our major financing taxes,” he said.
Pule said that the new system which has been developed by Go Smart Value simplifies the payment process for residents and also strengthens GCC’s financial management capabilities.
“Once it goes live in a few weeks, the system will offer a convenient, accurate and secure method of paying rates,” he said, expressing optimism that the solution would lessen their unpaid property tax woes.
The PayRates Initiative will provide numerous benefits for both property owners and local authorities. Property owners can enjoy a hassle-free payment experience with features such as automated reminders and easy online access to payment history.
For the Gaborone City Council, the platform promises a more efficient revenue collection process, reduced administrative costs, and enhanced financial management.
For his part, Access Bank Managing Director Sheperd Aisam highlighted the significance of this partnership which marks a pivotal moment in the journey towards digital transformation, innovation, efficiency, and community growth.
“Our partnership with the Gaborone City Council reflects our shared vision of leveraging technology to drive positive change. We believe that by embracing digital solutions, we can create a more inclusive and prosperous society,” Aisam emphasised.
Access Bank Botswana and the Gaborone City Council are confident that this initiative will serve as a model for other cities and local authorities in Botswana and beyond, setting a new standard for innovation in public service delivery.
