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40 000 COPIES WEEKLY WEDNESDAY, July 27, 2016
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Editor: Bettie Giliomee
R451 MILLION IN DEBT WRITTEN OFF AS PART OF ASSISTANCE TO THE POOR PROGRAMME
Metro writes off millions T ROSLYN BAATJIES
HE Nelson Mandela Bay municipality has written off debt of R451 million of residents who qualify for the Assistance to the Poor Programme.
Rory Riordan, chairperson of the portfolio committee on Budget and Treasury, announced yesterday that the debt had been written off on July 1 and that free services had begun on the same day. More than 23 000 eligible households automatically qualify for the programme because their property’s municipal valuation is R100 000 or less. This number is in addition to
the 85 000 already receiving assistance from the municipality. “The advantages are twofold, because the debt is written off and those who qualify get some free municipal services. “That includes no property tax, free refuse removal, free water to a maximum of 8 kilolitres of water in a reading cycle of about 30 days, no charge for sewage disposal to a maximum of 11 kilolitres and free electricity to 75 kWh,” Riordan said. “We have all the information on properties in the municipality’s database and we could immediately do the qualifying,” said Riordan. According to him, many of the eligible residents have cellphones and they were informed of the subsidy and cancellation of debt. Letters
were also hand delivered to them. “If they were not informed of it, they need to contact their ward councillors.” He added that the municipality plans to provide basic free municipal services to residents with properties of up to R200 000 over the next five years. Khusta Mtsila, United Front of the Eastern Cape (UFEC) regional secretary, described the timing of the announcement as suspicious as the cancellation of historical debt is a cornerstone of the UFEC’s manifesto. “It’s a cut and paste of the UFEC’s approach to the management of the municipal accounts. “I do not know how they will implement it. The UFEC believe there are sustainable ways to implement the system without adversely af-
fecting the fiscus of the municipality,” said Mtsila. Mongameli Bobani, UDM leader in the metro, said the announcement was a surprise and a shock. “The ANC is using all the tricks and state resources to ensure they get the votes on August 3. Unfortunately, the voters have already decided to vote for the UDM,” he added. According to the DA the announcement was something the council should have approved. Athol Trollip, DA mayoral candidate, reckons the ANC only cares about voters during elections. “Municipalities only write off debt when money is poorly managed and there is no policy for indigent households.”
#ExperienceTheSoil
The Soil National Tour is coming to Port Elizabeth on August 6. The Soil invites local vocalists to audition to take to the stage with them. Interested vocalists must post their videos on Facebook singing their songs. Fans of The Soil will then choose the one they believe is the best fitted to open for the group. The winner(s) will share the stage with The Soil and also get a chance to collaborate with the group on one song. The competition is open to all Eastern Cape artists who want to join The Soil at the Feathermarket Hall in PE. For more info about the competition, go to The Soil Facebook page. The show starts at 7:30pm. Tickets are available at Computick et at R150 per person and at the door. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
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