Metro goes all out to help indigent

INDIGENTS in Buffalo City Municipality (BCM) can breathe a sigh of relief as the city will now be going to their doorsteps to help them apply for free basic services.

The campaign, which is due to take place across the metro, is meant to bring relief to those who cannot pay for municipal services which include water and lights, sewerage and refuse collection.

BCM’s indigent registration campaign started yesterday in Bulembu, outside King William’s Town.

Hundreds of residents heeded the call for the first instalment of inland applications.

Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, BCM spokesman Samkelo Ngwenya said the campaigns were meant to reach more people who weren’t aware of the metro’s indigent subsidy.

“People were even resorting to stealing services. We want to educate them how they can access them without having to go the illegal route,” he said.

The registration of indigents will take place across the metro’s inland, midland and coastal areas.

In a statement this week Ngwenya said people, especially those in rural areas, should take advantage of its rollout campaign for basic water and services.

“When the applicant gets approved they receive an equivalent R652.90 towards their account, which translates to six kilolitres of water and free 50 units of electricity once a month,” he said.

On an advertisement in the Daily Dispatch this week, BCM advised applicants to bring their South African identity documents, proof of income or affidavit if unemployed, proof of residence, proof of ownership of property, marriage certificate and a copy of a spouse’s ID and death certificate if the account holder is deceased.

In the 2016-17 financial year, the metro spent more than R282-million providing free basic services to its registered indigent customers, according to Ngwenya. —