Municipality offers the poor a reprieve

The latest good news is the powers-that-be at the municipality’s decision-making hierarchy have reached an agreement to deal with the issue.

A decision has already been taken to identify qualifying residents struggling with paying for their monthly municipal services to apply for free basic services as indigents.

This means households that cannot make ends meet and afford basic services such as sanitation, water, refuse removal and electricity are encouraged to register on the city’s indigent relief programme at their nearest customer care centres (CCC).

To benefit from the indigent relief programme, the beneficiary has to first register or be deemed to be indigent. Then the municipality will evaluate your property and if the value of the applicant is found not to exceed R500 000, only then will the applicant be regarded as an indigent household.

The CoE’s indigent relief programme is another commendable effort to lessen financial burdens and improve the quality of life for those facing difficulties.

The social package for indigent relief consists of:

• 100% rebate on assessment rates

• Free refuse removal

• 50kwh of free electricity per month

• 6kl of water and sewer per month

• Free indigent burial to registered and deemed indigents

• Special rates on emergency services such as ambulance and firefighting.

Who qualifies for the indigent relief programme?

• You must be residing in the City of Ekurhuleni.

• Be over the age of 18 years. This includes financially dependent minors

• Be a South African citizen or in possession of a permanent residence certificate.

• Have a combined monthly household income be less than two monthly minimum wage, based on Area A domestic worker wage (R8 134.40), as determined by the Minister of Employment and Labour from time to time.

The following documents are needed based on the applicable category:

• ID copy of the applicant and spouse where applicable

• ID/birth certificate copies of dependents who reside on the property

• Latest municipal account statement

• Proof of income (Sassa pension statement for pensioners or 3-month bank statement/ letter of employment for employed applicants), lack of income (affidavits) or registration as a full-time student.

Applications for registration as indigent are granted for a reviewable period of 36 months.

Qualifying applicants can apply physically at all the CoE’s customer care centres in the following areas:

Indigent coordinators Eastern region Themba Ndimande on 011 999 6674, Southern region Nrateng Sekete on 011 999 0571 and Northern region Nora Segwathle on 011 999 4504.

Eastern Region

Nigel CCC, Abigail 011 999 8107

Duduza CCC Samuel 011 999 9078

Brakpan CCC Handrietta 011 999 8336

Tsakani CCC Jabulile / Moleboheng 011 999 8020 / 011 999 8029

Geluksdal pay point Nomathamsanqa 011 999 9204

Springs CCC Thami 011 999 8762

Kwa-Thema CCC Job / Vusi 011 999 8562

Benoni CCC Phindile 011 999 7272

Daveyton CCC Judith 011 999 6905

Etwatwa CCC Johannes / Pinky 011 999 7009

Actonville Library Themba 011 999 6649.

Northern Region

Kempton Park Pleasure 011 999 4516

Thembisa 1 CCC Sylvia/ Peter / Benedin / Nomsa/ Ntate / Nobuhle 011 999 4500

Thembisa 2 CCC Millicent / Freddy 011 999 2925

Edenvale CCC Lulu 011 999 4702

Phomolong Youth Centre Susan 011 999 4501

Thiteng Community Centre Tryphinah / Sereme 011 999 2297

Lethabong pay point Lerato 011 999 3229.

Southern Region

Germiston CCC Douglas / Monica 011 999 0622

Katlehong 1 CCC Thato/ Matieo 011 999 1414

Katlehong 2 CCC Nomsa/ Busi 011 999 1361

Alberton CCC Moses 011 999 1425

Thokoza CCC Nthabiseng Melamu / Cindy 011 999 1170

Edenpark Sello 011 999 2143

Boksburg CCC Queen 011 999 5542

Vosloorus CCC Caiphus/ Mpho 011 999 6146

Palmridge Hall Nthabiseng Ndaba 011 999 0932.