By: Nosipho Haya-Komisa
Buffalo City Metro is calling on all its vulnerable residents who qualify for rates rebate relief during this time of COVID-19 to apply for the rate relief.
This is part of the metro’s efforts to alleviate the socio-economic pressures under lockdown and to ensure that it’s residents are not severely affected by the outbreak of COVID-19.
Buffalo City Metro spokesperson Sam Ngwenya said they will only consider qualifying residents.
“In order to qualify for a rebate, a senior/retired person or disabled property owner must meet the following requirements: Be the owner of a property categorized as residential;
Occupy the property as his/her primary residence or where the owner is unable to occupy the property due to no fault of his/her own, the spouse and/or minor children must occupy the property,” said Ngwenya
Ngwenya further said that residents earning more than 15 000 rands do not qualify for the rebate rate relief.
“The applicants must be in receipt of gross monthly income (excluding medical contributions) not exceeding R15,000.00 from all sources including income of spouse and Submit an application annually.”
“In determining the pensioner’s rebate, all sources of income of the owner of the property are considered and the percentage rebate granted to the different gross income levels are set out in the table below,” said Ngwenya.
The application form which must be completed and signed by the applicant(s) and the Commissioner of Oaths, is available on the Buffalo City Metro website for download. They must be accompanied by the following supporting documents: 3 months’ bank statement, certified ID book, Disabled persons/pensioners who are in receipt of a disability grant/pension must submit a recent letter from SASSA.