The success of the indigent policy depends entirely on the eThekwini Municipality’s ability to administer it honestly, efficiently, and sustainably, said Councillor Allan Peterson at a council meeting on Thursday.
Council approved amendments to the Indigent Support Policy for the 2026/27 financial year to improve support for vulnerable households and streamline service delivery. The policy will come into effect on July 1, 2026.
According to the municipality, the revised policy clearly defines the responsibilities of the Revenue Management, Energy Management, and Water Services Directorates to ensure the efficient installation of prepayment electricity meters and water flow limiters once indigent status has been approved.
In addition, the policy refines the distinction between application-based indigent households and deemed indigent households.
“These amendments are intended to improve the identification of qualifying beneficiaries and strengthen the municipality’s social protection programme,” the municipality stated.
Peterson, speaking at the council, said the DA acknowledges the critical importance of a strong and effective indigent policy.
“In a city where many residents continue to face severe economic hardship, rising living costs, unemployment, and ongoing service delivery failures, this programme is not charity — it is a necessary social safety net that ensures vulnerable households are not excluded from access to basic municipal services,” Peterson said.
Changing his tone, Peterson said the challenge facing the municipality is not policy formulation but implementation, verification, accountability, and financial sustainability.
Peterson said many questions were raised regarding the accuracy of the indigent database and how the municipality intends to sustain increasing support while revenue collection continues to decline.
Other questions raised concerned how many beneficiaries remain on the system despite no longer qualifying. Also, how many deserving residents are excluded because of administrative failures? Lastly, Peterson queried the measures in place to prevent abuse, fraud, and political interference.
“The reality is that the city’s financial position remains under severe pressure. If we are not careful, this system could collapse under its own weight, and when that happens, it is the poorest residents who will suffer first,” Peterson warned.
He also welcomed the motivational provisions contained within this policy for residents who may fall just short of the qualifying benchmark.
The current application process at many Sizakala Centres remains deeply concerning. Peterson said residents are often expected to place highly sensitive personal documentation into collection boxes without receiving acknowledgement slips or reference numbers.
This, he said, creates uncertainty and frustration, as applicants have no reliable way of tracking their application progress.
“There should be clear, consistent, and digitised communication across all customer service centres.”
Peterson called for transparency and for regular progress reports to be made available at the council.
Niel Patchapen, leader of African Democratic Change (ADeC) in eThekwini, called on the municipality to automatically enrol all residents whose sole source of income is a South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) grant into the municipal indigent programme.
“A pensioner receiving a SASSA grant of approximately R2,400 per month remains indigent regardless of the paper value of their property. Excluding such a person from indigent support may undermine the principles of dignity, non-discrimination, and social inclusion contained in sections of the policy.”
Patchapen stated that SASSA has already assessed these residents and confirmed their financial circumstances.
“They should not have to prove that they are poor twice,” he said.
zainul.dawood@inl.co.za
