The JB Marks municipality is warning the public of two types of scams that have been on the rise in Potchefstroom lately.
“Members of the public are warned to be on the alert and watch out for these kinds of deception and avoid being ripped off,” Jeanette Tshite, a municipal spokesperson said.
The two scams involve selling of housing sites and extortion of money with promises of municipal jobs.
Selling of housing sites
According to Tshite, a person who goes by the name of Mr S. Sidu, falsely claiming to be the Director of Strategic Planning and LED in the municipality, has been issuing fake allocation letters in respect of housing stands in and around Potchefstroom and Ventersdorp.
“Members of the public are warned that this person has no authority to issue such allocation letters. The municipality has declared these allocation letters null and void and has opened a case against Mr Sidu. Criminal cases will also be opened against any other individuals that may be involved,” Tshite said.
“The municipality appeals to members of the public who might be in possession of the said allocation letter similar to those issued by Mr Sidu to visit the office of the Municipal Manager and hand in all copies of the letter,” Tshite said.
Extortion of money with promises of municipal jobs
Tshite said it has also come to the municipality’s attention that there are people who are demanding money from members of the public in exchange for jobs at the municipality.
“Once the money is paid out to the scammer, they disappear into thin air.”
Tshite said that the municipality does not sell jobs and will never demand money in exchange for employment. All vacancies at the municipality are according to her advertised in the local press or national weeklies.
“Members of the public who may have been ripped off in this manner are advised to open criminal cases with the police,” Tshite said.
