HOUSES in the Cornubia housing settlement are not for sale, warns eThekwini Municipality as fraudsters con people out of money.
The city integrity and investigations unit has issued a warning about a housing scam involving people posing as municipal officials.
Two people arrested during two sting operations were illegally using the names of human settlements unit members to offer houses in the Cornubia housing development, for a fee.
“A human settlements official, whose name had been falsely used in the elaborate syndicate, said he had found out about the illegal sales when people approached him about buying municipal houses in the Cornubia development. This matter was then reported to the city integrity and investigation unit, who investigated and realised the syndicate was operating falsely using the names of two other city officials,” read a statement from the municipality.
“The houses were allegedly sold for R45,000 and more. After payments are made, the victim is given a letter bearing the eThekwini Municipality and provincial department of human settlements logo. The unsuspecting victims are then told to go to the city’s offices and collect keys to their new homes.”
During operations held in conjunction with Metro Police, the human settlements unit set up an operation to catch the scam artists. Two people arrested during the operation will face charges of corruption.
“The human settlements department follows a strict Cornubia allocation policy which was approved by council on 31 March 2015. Houses in Cornubia, or at any city development, are not for sale.
People must be aware that in most cases the people responsible for these scams are not municipal employees. We will do everything in our power to apprehend these criminals as such actions portray the city in a negative light,” said Mayor Zandile Gumede.
Report corruption, fraud, human rights violations and discrimination to the city integrity and investigations unit by calling 0800-20-20-20, emailing ombuds@durban.gov.za or visiting the 10th floor, 41 Margaret Mncadi Avenue (Victoria Embankment), Durban.
