OVER 66 000 indigent people have been registered by the City for its subsidy scheme, across its rural and urban communities.

The indigent subsidy will ensure that all City customers who earn less than R2 160 a month can receive free basic services.

City officials are busy registering people who qualify, and have visited Balasi, Godidi, Qongqotha, Mount Coke, Nkqonkqweni, Ndileka and Balasi Valley, among other areas. Still to be visited are Tshabo, Gwiqi, Mzantsi, Macleantown, Kwelera, Braelyn, Bhisho, Tyutyu and Mdantsane.

The campaign will end on 27 May in Upper Mngqesha.

To qualify for the subsidy scheme, the applicant must:

• Reside at a fixed address;
• Have a valid South African identity document;
• If married, the applicant’s spouse must have a valid identity document;
• If unemployed, must have an affidavit;
• Have a payslip if employed;
• Have a meter box number;
• Have a bank statement or pension card; and
• Have a signature from the ward councillor.

Speaking about the ongoing registration campaign, indigent officer Morris Jacisa, said: “We are targeting all the people who qualify but have no idea that they do. We go to these areas to make awareness and also to invite people to register for the subsidy.”

In terms of the subsidy scheme, the City contributes R224,94 towards the municipal account of each registered indigent customer. This contribution allows each household to receive full services, including rates, sewage, fire levy, water and refuse collection.

“This includes six kilolitres of water worth R34,37 and 50kwh of electricity worth R33,20 free each month.”

The policy focuses on underdeveloped areas like informal settlements, rural areas and places with high levels of poverty.

Jacisa said government officials, business people and people who earned more than R2 160 a month could not apply for indigent benefits. “These people do not qualify and will not be allowed to register at any indigent office in the city.”