Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality has begun an Indigent registration drive for customers who are financially unfit to pay for basic services. Municipal teams are on the ground giving an opportunity to all deserving households to register as indigents.

An indigent household is one which earns a combined monthly income which is equivalent or below two pension payouts

Registration drive was preceeded by a workshop which the Municipality held in conjunction with Eskom, COGTA and Chria Hani District Municipality. The workshop trained Councillors, Ward Committees, Community Development Workers and Traditional Leaders.

Those whose applications are successful will receive rebates on electricity, alternative energy sources, municipal rates and refuse removal.

Portfolio Head for Budget and Treasury, Cllr Unathi Galada said “as the Municipality we are aware of the challenges faced by some households that are unable to pay for municipal services. Some of them are genuinely unable to pay due to unemployment or low income. We need people to come in their numbers and apply and this will lessen the number of debtors as indigents will be eligible to have their municipal debt written off”.

A schedule of the indigent registration drive which began on 07 June has been announced by ward councillors in their areas. Thos who miss this opportunity will still be allowed to register individually in Municipal offices after the registration drive has been completed.

The Municipality recently gave amnesty to customers whose electricity meters were bypassed or tampered and applications are currently being processed. A debt settlement scheme to encourage customers to settle their debt is still open until 30 June 2022.

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