Socio-Economic Report - Department of Agriculture and ...

UDM ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
This legislation provides for His Majesty the King to be the sole trustee but in terms
of the 1997 amendments the Board came into operation on the 2 October 1998 to
actually administer the affairs of the Trust. The Chairperson of the Board is His
Majesty the King or his nominee. The members are appointed by the Minister,
subject to consultative procedures laid down in the Act.
The core business of the Trust is to manage the land for the “material benefit and
social well being of the individual members of the tribes”. However, no alienation or
burdening of the land may occur without the written permission of the relevant
traditional or community authority.
FREE BASIC WATER POLICY
The Free Basic Water Policy was introduced in 2000 recognising the importance of
having a clean and adequate water supply. The policy allows that every household to
get 6 000 litres of water per month at no cost within a 200 metre distance from a
household (Hall, Leatt, & Monson, 2006).
It is up to municipalities to ensure that the policy is implemented, as three targeting
options are provided:
1. Rising Block Tariff: with access to taps and meters, the free 6 000 litres
(block) is provided to water users and there after subsequent usage (or block)
is billed at increasing rates for increasing consumption.
2. Targeted Credits or Subsidies: where people are considered “indigent” a
subsidies amount is credited to their bill monthly.
3. Service Level Targeting: this option limits access of water to the minimum 6
000 litres per month. This is provided for either through a communal tap
system which is within the 200 meter service level.
UMKHANYAKUDE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY: INDIGENT POLICY
Due to the high levels of poverty and unemployment in the uMkhanyakude, the
municipality has adopted an indigent policy to assist households who are unable to
pay for normal municipal services (uMkhanyakude District Municipality, 2005).
The policy states: “households with a verified total gross monthly income of all
occupants over 18 years of age does not exceed R800.00, or such other amount as
the uMkhanyakude Municipal Council may from time to time determine, qualify for a
subsidy on property rates and service charges for sewerage and refuse removal”
(uMkhanyakude District Municipality, 2005).
Households have to register annually to qualify as indigent which qualifies them for
relief on services such as refuse removal and property rates.
Socio-Economic Assessment Page 16