Beware: Fake contractors may be doing the rounds in your area
Metro residents warned about devious plot by phony contractors.
A Dinwiddie resident recently had an encounter with alleged metro workers which left him questioning whether the men were truly employed by the metro.
While in his home, Isaac Tshabalala heard someone calling for his attention outside, and as he stepped out he found two men standing by his water meter.
They insisted they were metro workers deployed to fix his water meter as it was faulty and they needed to gain entry into his yard.
“I opened the gate and they both entered to come and talk to me about this faulty meter,” Isaac recalled.
“I immediately closed the gate behind them.
“One of them had a pair of pliers in hand.
“They were clearly uncomfortable with me closing the gate behind them.”
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After a short discussion, Isaac opened the gate for the men to exit.
While outside his yard, with the gate closed, they indicated they had to dig out his water meter to determine what was wrong and fix it.
At this point, a third person, who appeared to have been the driver, came to the gate with some papers.
The papers and business cards presented did not look legitimate, and that’s when Isaac became suspicious.
“The driver was wearing a white shirt and a bucket hat, another man was in overalls, and the third was dressed in casual clothes,” Isaac described.Â
“They all insisted on digging and fixing my water meter and I indicated that other contractors had already worked on my water meter towards the end of last year.
“They did not have digging tools.
“Surprisingly, the vehicle also had a Free State registration number plate.
“I told them their job was to take a reading, and then to report any faults found.
“I then went into the house and came back with my cellphone to take pictures of these men.
“They protested and avoided looking at the camera when I took the photos.”
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A minute later, they got into their vehicle and left.
According to Isaac, the men drove off in a Corsa bakkie, gold in colour, with the registration plate HCH 345 FS.
“Who knows what they could have been up to, perhaps they were there to rob my home?” said Isaac.
The GCN contacted the metro regarding the unknown contractors, and Themba Gadebe, spokesperson for the metro, said, “Residents can verify the authenticity of any person claiming to be an employee of the metro by requesting to see their ID cards or a copy of the job card.
“They can also call the metro’s call centre on 086 054 3000 if there are any suspicions of criminality.”
When asked what requirements were set for municipal workers concerning uniform and vehicles used, he said, “Workers are required to use the metro’s branded vehicles and to have their IDs when they are on duty.
“However, there are private companies that are contracted to provide meter inspections, namely Isizwe Building Construction in Germiston, and Tsekema Consulting in Katlehong One and Katlehong Two.”
Residents are advised to be alert and report suspicions of criminal behaviour by contacting the metro’s call centre on 086 054 3000 or reporting the matter at their nearest police station.
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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.zaor Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist) kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za
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