Businesses operating in Lentegeur, a suburb of Mitchells Plain in Cape Town, have been warned about a growing scam involving criminals posing as health inspectors, according to a report by Eyewitness News (EWN).
The scammers are said to be targeting small business owners, demanding immediate cash payments in exchange for fake health certificates. These fraudulent individuals reportedly threaten violence when asked to show official identification, further intimidating business owners into complying with their demands.
Francine Higham, a Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth in the City of Cape Town, confirmed the scam and urged business owners to be vigilant. She emphasized that legitimate health inspectors never request payment or any form of reward for services rendered. Official health certificates, she explained, are issued free of charge following a standard inspection process carried out by certified municipal officers.
“No official will ever ask for money, gifts, or favours in return for a health certificate. If someone does, that’s a red flag. They are not from the City,” said Higham.
Higham also encouraged any business owners who are approached by these imposters to refuse payment, request identification, and immediately report the incident to the South African Police Service (SAPS) or the City’s law enforcement agencies.
The City said it is working closely with police to investigate these incidents and identify the individuals behind the scam. Local businesses are also being reminded to share information with neighbouring shops to prevent further victims from falling for the fraud.
The ongoing situation has sparked concerns among small and medium business owners in Mitchells Plain, many of whom are still recovering from pandemic-related losses and cannot afford unexpected financial burdens or safety threats.
Several traders who spoke off the record said they feared retaliation from the scammers, especially after reports that some of the imposters became aggressive when challenged.
City officials advised businesses to contact the City’s Health Department directly to verify the identity of any inspector who visits their premises. The City also suggested installing security cameras and alert systems to help document any suspicious activity.
The warning follows previous scams in other Cape Town areas, including Nyanga and Delft, where criminals also posed as city officials or utility agents.
The City of Cape Town reiterated that its inspectors always carry official identification cards and follow proper protocol. Any deviation from this should be treated with suspicion.
As investigations continue, the City is urging the community to spread the message and help protect legitimate businesses from falling prey to this form of extortion.
