According to Centlec spokesperson Lele Mamatu, the municipal council approved the 2023/25 indigent register during its special sitting held in June this year. The council adopted and approved 15 147 applications for inclusion in the indigent register. “The beneficiaries will be receiving 50kwh of free electricity monthly. Centlec has already assigned teams to commence with the re-installation of all meters that are approved under our indigent register,” Mamatu says.

Also read: Free State Government Departments left powerless

Residents can contact Centlec’s customer care offices to verify their application status, on (051) 409 2252 or (051) 409 2401/2411/2412/2762 during office hours.

Centlec and the municipality have also embarked on a joint operation to cut electricity to non-paying customers, including some Free State government departments. According to Mamatu, Centlec is owed close to R239 million by non-paying customers. He did not disclose which departments have been left without power.

Also read: Electricity, water tariff hikes on the cards for Mangaung residents

OFM News previously reported that residents could be paying more towards their electricity and water bills. A 15.1% electricity hike for winter tariffs was set to be implemented on 1 July. Mangaung DA councillor Tjaart van der Walt says, “The continuing hikes in living costs are unsustainable. Everyone is struggling more and more. That is why all our DA members last year objected and opposed the 18.6% increase that the National Energy Regulator of South Africa greenlit to Eskom, which led to the 15.1% hike that was approved to municipalities.”

OFM News