The Maluti-A-Phofung Municipality's spokesperson, Thabo Khesa, told OFM News on Monday morning that the municipality has suggested this in order to improve infrastructure and maintenance.

Khesa explained that this is because some people in rural areas, who can afford paying for services, are using them for free. This affects revenue collection within the municipality. He urged community members with illegal electricity connections to report it to the municipality and assist with the normalisation of electricity distribution.

“We have come to the conclusion that rural wards should be as developed as urban wards, that people in rural areas also pay so that they can receive similar kinds of services from the municipality. The idea is to have those people living in those wards paying a monthly flat rate of R150 - those who can afford it but who are not paying anything. Of course, we know that there are families who cannot afford it - they are expected to register on the indigence plan.”

OFM News/Mpho Mohapi and Nomathamsanqa Mboyisi