Musina Municipality normally opens applications for indigent subsidies before the start of the new financial year. Any family with a joint monthly income of R3 850 or less can apply for this subsidy, but many people in rural areas who do not know about this lifeline are still suffering.
Limpopo Mirror recently caught up with Sophia Mudau (32) from Matswale Phase 8 in Musina, who heads a family of nine. The family members survive on social grants, but they struggle to pay their municipal bills, which often leads to the municipality's cutting off their water or electricity supply.
"This year, the municipality cut our water off twice. Our water bill is usually around R200 but really, we cannot afford to pay the bill. I have visited the municipality several times to inform them that I am unable to pay the water bill as no one in our family is working," said Mudau.
Mudau's mother passed away in 2015 and their stepfather relocated afterwards, leaving her (Mudau) to take care of her four other siblings. In 2018, two of her sisters also passed away, but Mudau was still left with six children to provide for.
"As their guardian, it is really hard for me. The children sometimes demand luxuries that I cannot afford. I have to make sure all of them get fed a decent meal every day. My problem is that I struggle to pay the bills too, and I don't know how to apply for the indigent grant," she said.
Mr Wilson Dzebu, spokesperson for the Musina Municipality, advised the family to visit their ward councillor, so he can assist them accordingly.