Scam Alert: Fake Health Officials Target Lentegeur Businesses

Cape Town 

The City of Cape Town’s Health Department has issued a fresh warning to businesses in the Lentegeur area to be on high alert for scammers posing as City health officials and demanding payment for bogus health certificates.

Reports have surfaced of individuals impersonating City health inspectors who visit shops, claim businesses need new certificates, and attempt to extort money under threat of violence if questioned.

“These scams are a serious threat to our small business community. Pretending to be City officials is an old trick and businesses are urged to be vigilant,” said Councillor Francine Higham, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health. “I want to encourage anyone who has been conned or threatened in this manner to please report it to the police and provide as much information as possible so that those responsible can be brought to book.”

The City stressed that there is no charge for the processing or issuing of a Certificate of Acceptability (COA).

Key facts business owners should know:

• COAs issued since the 2018 regulatory update remain valid unless the premises changes ownership, undergoes significant renovations, or alters its operations.
• Only the City’s Health Department is legally authorized to issue COAs. Official COAs are printed on special paper featuring a holographic City logo to prevent forgery.
• COAs are granted only after a thorough physical inspection and submission of all required documentation.
• All City officials carry formal identification displaying the City logo, their name, department, and designation.
• City employees are strictly prohibited from requesting or accepting gifts, favours, hospitality, or payments directly from businesses. Any legitimate payments are made only at City cash offices or via electronic funds transfer to the City’s bank account.

Councillor Higham advised business owners to consult their local Environmental Health office or visit the City’s website when starting a business or making changes to existing operations.

“If you’re approached or anyone visits your premises and demands payment or any type of reward for inspections or documentation, insist on checking their credentials and verifying their story with your local Environmental Health office,” Higham urged. “Business owners can also check the legitimacy of any documentation provided by a third party with their Environmental Health Practitioners.”

Businesses concerned about fraudulent officials or suspicious documents are encouraged to contact City Health directly at Verify.COA@capetown.gov.za.

For further information, or to locate your local Environmental Health office, visit the City’s website at: City of Cape Town Health Department.