Media Release Thursday June 20 2002


To: News Editors/PR Wires


From: City Of Johannesburg


"Free services for the poorest of the poor" - Joburg Council


Joburg's pensioners, the unemployed, orphans HIV/AIDS patients and the
City's poor will from the 1(superscript: st) of July enjoy free basic
municipal services on application, the Council meeting resolved today.


The meeting approved a Special Cases Policy in terms of which particular
vulnerable groups such the unemployed, orphans, pensioners and HIV/AIDS
patients will over and above the universal free 6kl of water, 50kwh of
electricity, will now enjoy rebates on assessment rates and subsidy for
refuse removal and sanitation services.


Council said the new policy aims to give guidelines and propose an
integrated approach for targeted social support and assistance. The
unemployed, orphans, pensioners, HIV/AIDS patients, persons with a
disability grant, persons with very low income, those who own properties
valued less than R20001 and those persons with a total family income of
less than R1 100 will be eligible to apply for the subsidy.


Accounts of successful applicants will be flagged to prevent credit control
measures and there will be no interest charged on arrears. Application
forms and brochures explaining the criteria will be available in Council
paypoints, Libraries, Health facilities and on the Council webpage.


ENDS.


                                              For more information contact:


                                                               Mbangwa Xaba


                                                              Media Liaison


                                                              Tel: 407 7226


                                                              Fax: 403 3494


                                                               082 467 9230


                                                     mbangwax@joburg.org.za







For more information about this wonderful City of ours, please visit our
website : www.joburg.org.za