Beware of scammers posing as City health inspectors in Lentegeur

Scammers posing as City health inspectors are once again targeting businesses, demanding payment for fake "health certificates".

The City said businesses in the Lentegeur area have reported that individuals posing as health officials are visiting shops and demanding certificates.

The imposters then attempt to charge for issuing the 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 Certificate of Acceptability (COA).

"In order to avoid being conned, business owners need to be aware that a 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," the City said. 

Mayco member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham, said scams are a serious threat to the 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," said Higham.

The City said when starting a business or considering any amendments to conditions of trade, business owners should rather consult the local Environmental Health office or the City’s website to determine 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," Higham said.

To find your local Environmental Health office, visit the City’s website at 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 [email protected].  

Meanwhile, International Whistleblowers Day was observed on June 23, and the City’s  Ethics and Forensics Department called on residents, and especially the youth, to help fight fraud and corruption, online misinformation and scams by blowing the whistle and reporting suspicious activities to the Fraud Hotline on 0800 32 31 30 (anonymous tip-offs welcome).

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