10/09/2026
GMM - SPEAKER ENCOURAGES QUALIFYING RESIDENTS TO REGISTER FOR INDIGENT SUPPORT AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MUNICIPAL DEBT RELIEF
The Speaker of Council of Govan Mbeki Municipality, Cllr Fikile Magagamela, has encouraged qualifying households that are unable to afford basic municipal services to come forward and apply for assistance through the municipality’s Indigent Support Programme.
The Speaker made the call during an Indigent Registration and Sanitary Towels Distribution Outreach Programme held today, 10 September 2026, in eMbalenhle.
The programme was aimed at bringing municipal services closer to residents, assisting qualifying households with indigent registration, and raising awareness about the support available to vulnerable households.
The Indigent Support Programme provides assistance to qualifying households to ensure that vulnerable residents continue to have access to essential municipal services.
Households with a combined verified gross monthly income of R8 000 or less for all occupants over the age of 18 may qualify for indigent support.
Qualifying registered indigent households may receive a 100% subsidy on rates and basic charges, up to 10 kilolitres of water per household per month, and up to 50 kWh of electricity per household per month.
Refuse removal assistance is provided according to the subsidy determined by Council through the annual budget.
Any water or electricity consumption above the approved subsidised limits is charged at the applicable indigent tariff.
Residents wishing to apply must complete the prescribed indigent application form and provide the required supporting documents.
Depending on individual circumstances, these may include proof of income or an affidavit declaring unemployment or income, certified identity documents, relevant SASSA or income information, and additional documents such as a Letter of Authority or proof of guardianship where applicable.
The municipality verifies information provided by applicants to ensure that assistance reaches households that meet the qualifying criteria.
Residents are further reminded that indigent benefits may be withdrawn where a household no longer qualifies, provides false information, tampers with water or electricity meters, uses the property for business purposes, rents out the property or sells it.
Residents who do not qualify for the Indigent Support Programme but are struggling with outstanding municipal debt are encouraged to enquire about the municipality’s Debt Incentive and Good Payers’ Incentive Scheme.
Qualifying customers with municipal debt older than 12 months may receive the following debt relief:
• Residential customers: 70% debt relief – pay the remaining 30%
• Businesses: 30% debt relief – pay the remaining 70%
• Non-Profit Organisations: 50% debt relief – pay the remaining 50%
The remaining balance may be settled immediately or through an approved repayment arrangement over a maximum period of 36 months, subject to the qualifying criteria.
The municipality is also rewarding good-paying customers.
Customers who have kept all their municipal accounts fully paid and up to date for 12 consecutive months may qualify for an incentive credit for two consecutive billing months, subject to the approved qualifying criteria.
Customers entering into repayment arrangements must continue paying their current municipal accounts in full and on time, together with the agreed monthly instalment.
Applications for the Debt Incentive and Good Payers’ Incentive Scheme can be made at the nearest Govan Mbeki Municipality office.
The scheme closes on 30 June 2027.
As part of the outreach programme, the Speaker also handed over sanitary towels to women and girls in the community.
The initiative forms part of efforts to promote dignity, health and well-being while ensuring that vulnerable members of the community receive practical support.
The Speaker encouraged residents to make use of the programmes available to them and to share the information with other qualifying households in their communities.
Govan Mbeki Municipality remains committed to ensuring that vulnerable households have access to basic municipal services, assisting qualifying customers to address outstanding municipal debt and maintaining a fair and properly managed indigent register.
ISSUED BY GOVAN MBEKI MUNICIPALITY
