Stellenbosch Municipality

The Indigent Grant provided by the Stellenbosch Municipality is a crucial support system for the most vulnerable members of the community. Here are some key points to know about it:

𝗢𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲: The primary aim of the Indigent Grant is to assist struggling individuals, pensioners, and people with disabilities in accessing basic municipal services like water, electricity, and refuse collection.

𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: Residents who qualify for the grant can receive various benefits, including a 100% rebate on property rates where the valuation of the property is less than R250 000. Residents can also receive 6000 litres of free water per month, 100 units of free electricity per month as well as free refuse collection and sanitation services. Households with an income of less than R7000 per month qualify.

𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: It’s important to note that eligible residents must apply for the Indigent Grant annually. This requirement is mandated by national legislation. Failure to reapply annually may result in the municipality being unable to approve the application and provide the associated services.

𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲: Even residents living in Eskom supply areas can apply for the grant. If approved, they will still receive their 100 free units of electricity per month. The municipality covers these costs directly with Eskom on behalf of the approved applicants.

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: For further details and to access the Indigent Policy, please visit: https://stellenbosch.gov.za/download/appendix-12-indigent-policy-2023-2024/

By offering these benefits and support mechanisms, the municipality aims to ensure that all residents have access to essential services, regardless of their financial circumstances.

The Municipality appreciates the frustration with water pipe bursts in the Franschoek area.

All Municipalities are plagued by ageing pipe network infrastructure which is further negatively affected by the recent flood events. The network is gradually being upgraded, together with the new bulk infrastructure being constructed.

The Municipality has a Pipe and Sewer Replacement Program underway. A consultant has been appointed regarding designs and to oversee construction works when it occurs. A pipe replacement contractor has also been appointed and work is underway to replace the priority parts of the network first.

The Pipe Replacement Program prioritises pipes for replacement based on actual pipe burst frequency data; age of pipes; estimated condition and economy of scale benefits by area of replacement compared to individual pipes.

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and we are requesting residents to please bear with us as the necessary upgrades occur. Thank you for reporting to our Lets Fix It WhatsApp number (076 951 0768), where residents can receive updates on the repairs. The Municipality now also has a Whatsapp Channel which can be accessed here: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaLgWIA4SpkHJRuNB22E