Land reform minister Calle Schlettwein has proposed an increment of fines and penalties relating to improper conduct by property valuers, and for the council to set and enforce the rules and standards of the profession in the National Assembly this week.

The Property Valuers Profession Act was introduced to regulate the valuation profession by making professional valuation practitioners accountable for their conduct, thereby eliminating incidences of unethical conduct by unqualified people masquerading as valuers.

He said: “The regulations to the valuation profession are long-overdue, and I strongly believe that once property valuers are registered and only qualified registered valuers are permitted to practice, Namibia will enjoy an efficient and transparent land administration system that is on par with international standards.”

Schlettwein added that the amendments would allow for the finalisation and implementation of the regulations by the minister, and the setting of rules and standards by the Namibian Council for the Property Valuers Profession.

He said Section 3 of the Act may be amended to enhance transparency and checks and balances in the appointment of members of the council. 

“This is achieved by requiring the minister to publish a notice in the Gazette and in at least two newspapers circulating in Namibia, inviting any interested persons, voluntary associations or bodies to nominate such persons for appointment as members of the council within 30 days of the publication of the invitation in the gazette,” he proposed.

The minister responsible for justice is to nominate a person referred to in that subsection for appointment as member of the council within the period referred to in the request.

“Section 30 of the principal Act is amended in subsection (3) by the substitution for paragraph (b) of the following paragraph: “(b) payment of a fine not exceeding N$10 000, which amount may be increased by the minister, by notice in the gazette, after consultation with the council,” stated Schlettwein.

- psiririka@nepc.com.na