Kouga – Kouga Local Municipality has allocated R61,419,118 in its mid-year adjustment budget to provide free basic services to indigent households across the region.
This provision was approved during an Ordinary Council meeting on Wednesday, 29 January 2025, reinforcing the municipality's commitment to ensuring that all residents have access to essential services, regardless of their financial status.
The allocation includes funding for essential services such as water, sanitation, electricity, and refuse removal.
Specifically, R21,487,061 has been set aside for providing 6 kilolitres of water per household per month, R13,673,095 for sanitation services, R1,989,710 for the provision of 50kWh of electricity per household per month, and R24,269,252 for regular refuse removal services (which includes an Environment Management Fee).
Kouga Executive Mayor, Hattingh Bornman, emphasised the importance of these services in improving the quality of life for indigent households. "Access to basic services is a fundamental right, and this allocation reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the most vulnerable members of our community.
“No household should be left behind when it comes to access to clean water, sanitation, electricity, and waste removal.”