Business owners, specifically in Mitchell’s Plain, are being warned of scammers purportedly being health officials
The City of Cape Town says scammers are posing as City
health inspectors targeting businesses in Lentegeur, demanding payment for fake
'health certificates'.
‘’Businesses in the Lentegeur area have reported to City
Health that individuals posing as health officials are visiting shops and
demanding certificates. The imposters then attempt to charge for issuing these
certificates and threaten shop operators with violence if they ask for proof of
identification. The City would like to again inform the public that there is no
charge associated with the processing or issuing of a COA,’’ said Franicne
Higham, MMC for Community Services & Health.
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PICTURE: Pixabay In order to avoid
being conned, Higham says business owners need to be aware that a Certificate
of Acceptability (COA) that was issued since the updated regulations were
published in 2018, remain valid unless the premises has a change in management,
is sold, physical changes are made to the premises and/or to the scope of
operations.
‘’Only the City of
Cape Town Health Department has the legal mandate to issue COAs to food
premises which, when issued, are printed on specifically manufactured paper
with a holographic City logo that prevents it from being replicated. COAs are
only awarded on submission of all relevant documentation, and a physical
inspection to ensure that the premises complies with legislative requirements.
‘’All City officials carry formal identification with the
City logo showing their name, department, and designation. In their capacity as
City employees, no one can request any rewards, gifts, favours and/or
hospitality and do not have a general right to accept any of these.
‘’Furthermore, City
officials are not permitted to accept payment directly from clients and any
applications that do require payment should only occur at a City cash office or
via an electronic funds transfer into the City’s bank account – details of
which are available on the City’s website,’’ said Higham.
The MMC said these scams are a serious threat to small
business community.
‘’Pretending to be City officials is an old trick and
businesses are urged to be vigilant. 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,’’ Francine Higham, Mayoral Committee Member for Community
Services and Health.
The City’s advice to businesses is two-fold.
When starting your
business or considering any amendments to your conditions of trade, rather
consult your local Environmental Health office or the City’s website to
determine what exactly you need, how to apply for it and what costs are
applicable, if any.
‘’If you’re approached or anyone visits your premises and
demands payment or any type of reward for any type of inspection or
documentation, insist on checking their credentials and verifying their story
with the local Environmental Health office. Business owners can also check the
legitimacy of any documentation provided by a third party with their EHPs,’
added Higham.
To find your local Environmental Health office, visit the
City’s website at https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/City%20Health%20Department
Owners of premises who are concerned that persons may be
fraudulently representing themselves as City Health officials or that the
documentation issued to them may be fraudulent, are encouraged to engage City
Health at Verify.COA@capetown.gov.za
Done by: Mitchum George
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