Friday, June 16, 2023

Be aware of housing scams, warns City of Cape Town

The City of Cape Town is urging residents not to pay for a housing opportunities and to always be vigilant of potential scammers.

This comes after an applicant received an email advising that she would receive a title deed for a house in Watergate, Mitchells Plain, if she paid a sum of money.

In September 2022, a Capetonian paid over R2 000 into abank account to process her “approval letter” for a house in one of the WesternCape’s Human Settlements Department’s projects in Mitchell’s Plain.

PICTURE: Pixabay


Acting Mayco member for Human Settlements, James Vos, said if you are asked to pay to register on the City's Housing Needs Register for a Government housing Breaking New Ground (BNG) opportunity or a plot of City-owned land, you are being scammed.

‘’These types of cases happen regularly and impact the most desperate, vulnerable residents. Qualifying beneficiaries are reminded again that they do not need to pay to register on the Housing Needs Register or to receive a subsidy housing opportunity. The Register, which is protected, updated and audited, is necessary to prevent queue-jumping and to provide opportunities in a fair, ordered manner. This is important given the acute need for housing opportunities across the metro.’’

‘’We have unfortunately been made aware of a number of these cases taking place in areas across the metro in recent weeks and months and we encourage our residents and beneficiaries to also contact the City should they be concerned this is the case,’’ added Vos.

He encouraged residents to report suspicious or illegal activity to the South African Police Service.

 

Done By: Mitchum George

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