Soaring municipal rates and taxes, load-shedding and failing infrastructure in South African cities are affecting the viability of new investments, with a top property body saying investors  are abandoning plans for new developments. 

Neil Gopal, CEO of the South African Property Owners Association (Sapoa), which has 800 members including JSE-listed companies, said this week it was “meeting with most metros and municipalities to discuss these concerns as they are leading to lower levels of investment”. ..