Only about 485,000 households are currently registered and receiving the benefit.
Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has revealed that about 1.6 million financially embattled households that qualify for Free Basic Electricity are not receiving the benefit.
The minister disclosed this in a written reply to a parliamentary question, saying that approximately 2.1 million households in Eskom supply areas qualify for the programme. However, only about 485,000 households are currently registered and receiving the benefit.
"The Department of Electricity and Energy confirms that a significant number of indigent households that qualify for Free Basic Electricity (FBE) are not yet receiving the benefit," the minister said.
"Based on verified information from Eskom and government programmes, approximately 2.1 million households in Eskom supply areas qualify for Free Basic Electricity in terms of the national indigent policy framework. Of these, only about 485,000 households are currently registered and receiving the FBE benefit. This indicates that approximately 1.6 million qualifying indigent households in Eskom supply areas are not yet receiving Free Basic Electricity."
