Question NW1745 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

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12 October 2020 - NW1745

Profile picture: Singh, Mr N

Singh, Mr N to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs

(1)Whether municipalities currently provide free basic electricity under programmes other than the Free Basic Electricity programme; if not, why not; if so, (a) to whom and (b) what are the relevant details; (2) whether the installation and maintenance of electricity prepaid meters would be (a) subsidised by municipalities or (b) free under certain parameters; if not, why not; if so, (i) under what parameters and (ii) what are the relevant details; (3) whether municipalities prescribe electricity tariffs and rates to consumers in order to ensure that the most vulnerable and indigent communities receive free basic electricity; if not, why not; if so, (a) in what manner and (b) what are the relevant details?NW2131E

Reply:

1. The local government equitable share supports Government’s policy on free basic electricity programme by providing funding for municipalities to deliver free basic services like electricity, water, sanitation and refuse removal to poor households.

2. The installation of prepaid meters is still at pilot phase now and as such the Department does not have details in terms of costs hence it cannot determine whether government will subsidise the cost or not.

3. No. Because municipalities are charging tariffs in terms of their tariffs policies approved by councils and have to be cost reflective.

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