Free services for all – or just some …

 The Westonaria Local Municipality has been taking care of its underprivileged residents through indigent registrations.

Indigent households are homes with an income of less than R2 800 per month. These households are given leeway regarding basic services as they cannot afford to pay for the services they consume.

A total of 3 571 indigent households have been approved by the municipality.

These households will have access to:

• free water monthly

• free electricity monthly

• reliable toilet services and facilities

• waste removal facilities

The intervention is taking place in different areas in Westonaria and at the municipal offices.

Kgabane Madiehe, spokesperson for the Westonaria Executive Mayor said the purpose of the roll-out is to ensure residents receive basic services regardless of their financial status.

Two residents interviewed by the Council news team told their story about their struggle just to make ends meet.

Thembinkosi Mlambo, 64, a Westonaria Borwa resident said,

I was worried how I would pay for my services with the pension money I receive. It was not enough to cater for my grandchildren’s school fees and the food and the services we consume on a monthly basis.”

Sinah Maphumlo, 57, a Bekkersdal resident welcomed the intervention by the municipality.

This exercise reduces the burden carried by indigent households,” she said.

MMC for finance and LED, Alex Ntshiba said,

I must raise the fact, however, that within this process there are some who are dishonest and hide their income. There are some people who have flats, tenants or own small business such as spaza shops and claim to be indigent households, forgetting that they are denying people suffering an opportunity to get free services.”

Madiehe urged residents of the greater Westonaria to apply for indigent status if they are in dire need. This can be done by going to the registration sessions in the area or going to the municipality to register.