Sol Plaatje Municipality to subsidise indigent households

INDIGENT households in the

Sol Plaatje municipal area have been urged to apply for relief and subsidies on municipal services.

Municipal spokesperson Thoko Riet said the local authority wants to ease the burden on some households in the city.

Riet said there are criteria that need to be met for a resident to qualify for the subsidy.

“Through the Indigent Management Office, the municipality offers qualifying households relief and subsidies on services provided by the municipality, such as the provision of refuse, sanitation, water and electricity, where qualifying households will receive 50 free units,” said Riet.

“Qualifying residents include households with an income not exceeding R4 500 per month, including state welfare pensions. Child grants are not included. There may not be a business operating on the property of the applicant. The applicant may also not have tenants staying on the property. The applicant may also not own more than one property and they must be the full-time occupant of the property. A prepaid electricity meter must be available and be installed by the municipality. If the applicant does not comply with these requirements, they will not be eligible for the subsidy.”

Riet said applicants must take the required documentation to the municipality.

“When applying, the applicant must be in possession of an affidavit declaring the employment status and income of all members of the household older than 18 years. A copy of the applicant's identity document and the identity documents of all occupants of the property must also be included.”

Riet added that the verification process will be conducted by Mcguire Trading through door-to-door data collection to ensure that all documentation and income information is correct.