Ekurhuleni MMC for finance Moses Makwakwa made the call to people who qualify for indigent packages to come forward and register, so that they, too, can reap the benefits.
During the budget speech in Germiston, on May 29, Makwakwa said that, in view of the proposed tariffs, the municipality will provide the social package relief to pensioners and the indigents.
The relief package is as follows:
Social support package:
- The first R150 000 on property value is exempt from assessment rates.
- For pensioners, an additional rebate for property assessments ranges from 10 per cent to 100 per cent.
- Churches and NGOs are exempt from assessment rates.
- All households will still enjoy six kilolitres of water and sanitation service free of charge.
- An additional incentive of 100 kilowatts of free basic electricity will be given to low end users
Indigents
- The people of Ekurhuleni will be pleased to know that the metro allocated just under R800-million, therefore all the registered indigents will continue receiving the following services:n Receive 100 per cent rebates on assessment rates.
- Free nine kilolitres of water.
- Free nine kilolitres of sanitation.
- Free refuse removal.
- Get 100 kilowatts of free basic electricity and
- Free burial
Makwakwa said in their continued effort to build social cohesion, R17-m has been set aside for the Grant in Aid programme.
“All of these we provide in understanding the city’s current socio-economic conditions.
“The ANC led municipality will continue being a caring government with special attention accorded to those who are underprivileged.
“This is what we have been advancing in these 20 years of a democratic government,” said Makwakwa.
He added that based on National Treasury assessment during May 2014, Ekurhuleni remains the most affordable metro to live in, at an average household bill of R1 265 per month with the highest being R1 626.
“Ekurhuleni is still below the average of all the metros which is R1 472 per month.”
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