Families wait for indigent support

FOR the past two years, some low-income households in Phoenix have been waiting for their applications for the eThekwini Municipality’s Indigent Support Programme to be approved.

The indigent policy was implemented in 2020 and allows for households with an income of less than R3950 a month to be exempt from paying for water, electricity, refuse removal and rates.

The value of one’s property also has to be R500 000 or less.

Jonathan Annipen, an IFP councillor, has been assisting more than 150 families.

“The residents have to apply for this programme every two years. Each application needs a motivation letter from a municipal councillor confirming the family’s circumstances.

“There must also be accompanying documents like proof of income, bank statements, ID documents, and letters from schools stating that children are registered. If a person is collecting a disability grant, a letter is needed from Sassa.”

He said the application was then sent to a social worker, who would do a home visit to assess the family’s living conditions.

“The social worker will provide a report to Operation Sukuma Sakhe (OSS) that is handling the application process. Their zonal co-ordinators will then liaise with the electricity and water departments for the approvals or write-offs to be done.”

He said there had however been a delay in getting the applications processed in Phoenix because there were only two zonal co-ordinators.

“They don’t have the capacity to carry out the initiative with the number of residents making the applications. We have submitted more than 150 names to the municipality since 2020. I have a list of names that we regularly check. I don’t know of a single case that has been approved.”

Pensioner Patricia Perumal, from Whetstone in Phoenix, has a utility bill of R101 000. The 61-year-old shares a home with her brother, Vivian Jason, 49.

He has been unemployed since the company he worked for closed a few years ago.

The siblings rely on Perumal’s pension and Jason sells various items to earn money.

“We want the government to speed up the process because we are struggling. If we are not approved, we will continue to be in arrears because we don’t have the money to pay for our utilities. We cannot even pay our bond.”

Sharlene Deodatt, 38, from Unit 9 in Phoenix, said although a social worker had completed an assessment, she awaited feedback.

Deodatt lives with her husband and three children aged 21, 15 and 6 in her husband’s family home.

She said her husband was retrenched from his job at a printing company more than a year ago.

“Life changed overnight. We had to choose between paying our bills or providing meals for our children.

“My husband has been collecting UIF every month, but it will end by September.

“The money is used to buy food and whatever our children need.”

Deodatt said she applied for the programme shortly after he lost his job.

“It’s been more than a year now that we cannot pay our utility bills.

“I applied for the programme with the hope of getting relief. If it does not work I don’t know what to do. My utility account is more than R50 000 and I am afraid our electricity will be disconnected.”

According to the municipality’s website, if applications are approved residents will qualify for the following:

Free basic electricity: the qualified applicant will receive the indigent subsidy of electricity supply to the maximum of 20 amps in a prepaid meter supply.

Free water supply: the qualified applicant will receive 6 kilolitres of free water. All water supplied from a standpipe is free of charge subject to conditions as stipulated in the Water Policy.

Sewage disposal: where the water supply to a customer is limited to 300 litres per day via a ground tank or yard tap, the only acceptable sewage disposal option is a urine diversion toilet. This is provided at no cost to the household but remains the responsibility of the householder to provide maintenance of all items, including periodic emptying. A connection to the municipal waterborne sewerage system which offers a nil sewage disposal charge for water usage below 300 litres per day, a steeped tariff and a reduced tariff where the water is by means of a semi-pressure service and the water is between 300 litres and 833 litres per day consumption.

Refuse removal: property less than the threshold value, as approved by the council in its annual budget, will not be charged for refuse collection and its removal.

Property rates: the municipality may grant rates rebates based on the property value as determined by council in its annual budget and subject to the provisions of the Rates Act.

Lindiwe Khuzwayo, the spokesperson for the eThekwini Municipality, said they would investigate the matter.

“One of the main objectives is to ensure the provision of basic services to the community in a sustainable manner. Customers have the option to apply for indigent support and be entered into the city’s indigent register.”

She said this was for households who occupied properties valued at R500 000 and less.

“They will receive free monthly services, which includes 6 kilolitres of water restricted by a flow limiter; 150kWh of electricity, sewage and refuse disposal. They may be exempt from property rates as well as a total write-off on historical debt and exemption of interest on any future debt.”

Khuzwayo said upon approval of the application, the customer would be entered into the city’s indigent register for the duration of two years.

“The customer may reapply, subject to meeting set requirements. Interested customers should approach their nearest Sizakala Centre for more information.”