KWAGGAFONTEIN – In a move to modernise and improve services, the Thembisile Hani Municipality has announced plans to go paperless.
This decision aims to streamline processes, reduce administrative work, and strengthen the municipality’s financial stability.
According to Executive Mayor Lesetja Dikgale, one of the main motivations for the change is to combat fraud. He added that the municipality had uncovered instances where individuals, including foreign nationals, were illegally obtaining fake proof of residence.
“They used these fake documents to obtain licences and start businesses. To stop this, the council is putting in place measures to verify the authenticity of residents,” he stated.
As part of this initiative, the municipality began door-to-door campaigns in June 2024. These are being conducted by municipal agents who engage directly with the community.
Mayor Dikgale encouraged residents to verify their information with the municipality to ensure that every household is correctly recorded.
In addition, the municipality is offering residents the opportunity to reduce their outstanding debts by 90%, Dikgale explained.
“This programme aims to help residents settle their debts and start afresh. By ensuring everyone is billed correctly, the municipality hopes to increase revenue, which will support projects meant to improve Thembisile Hani.”
Council aims to raise the rate of customer participation from just 1% to between 30% and 50%. This increase will help ensure that those who can pay their bills do so, while also identifying individuals who face financial difficulties.
Dikgale further said, “We are committed to modernising our services and making things easier for our residents. By going paperless and verifying information, we will improve our systems, reduce fraud, and help those in need.
This initiative marks a significant step forward for Thembisile Hani, aiming for a more efficient and transparent local government. The municipality is aware of the challenges residents face and is dedicated to assisting them, including applying for indigent support.”
