Govan Mbeki Municipality holds indigent registration outreach in eMbalenhle
Residents were also encouraged to report suspicious individuals who claim to conduct indigent registrations without proper municipal identification or authorisation.
The office of the council speaker in Govan Mbeki Municipality conducted a two-day Indigent Registration Outreach Programme in Ward 8 at Vukuzithathe Primary School on September 30 to help qualifying households register for municipal indigent support.
According to council speaker Fikile Magagamela, the initiative forms part of the municipality’s ongoing efforts to bring municipal services closer to communities and ensure that qualifying households can access available support.
“Households with a combined verified gross monthly income of R8 000 or less may qualify for the municipality’s Indigent Support Programme, subject to the applicable requirements and verification processes,” said Magagamela.
Residents assisted during the first day of the outreach were mostly elderly persons.
Magagamela said by taking the registration programme directly to the community, the municipality is making it easier for residents, particularly elderly persons, to access assistance closer to where they live without having to travel to municipal offices for registration and related enquiries.
She also thoroughly explained the Indigent Support Programme to attendees and assisted them in understanding and completing the registration forms.
“Qualifying registered indigent households may receive a 100% subsidy on rates and basic charges, up to 10 kilolitres of water per household per month, and up to 50 kWh of electricity per household per month.
“Refuse removal assistance is provided according to the subsidy determined by Council through the annual budget.
“Water or electricity consumption above the approved subsidised limits is charged at the applicable indigent tariff,” said Magagamela.
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Magagamela also used the outreach programme to caution residents to safeguard their personal information.
She urged community members not to lend their identity documents to anyone or hand them over to individuals who visit their homes claiming to register them for indigent support.
She emphasised that indigent registration must be undertaken through recognised municipal processes and encouraged residents who require information, assistance, or clarity regarding the programme to contact their respective ward councillors or visit the relevant municipal offices.
Residents were also encouraged to report suspicious individuals who claim to conduct indigent registrations without proper municipal identification or authorisation.
