Residents are warned to be vigilant against several municipal scams circulating in the community.

Mogale City Local Municipality’s (MCLM) assistant manager for media and PR, Refilwe Mahlangu, warned that many have already fallen victim to four common scams by fraudsters.

The first scam relates to payments. Mahlangu stressed that the municipality does not request upfront payments or banking details from residents.

“We only accept payments at municipal pay points and EFTs. None of our officials may demand payment through channels such as phone calls or WhatsApp,” she said.

Another scam involves recruitment. Mahlangu emphasised that MCLM does not charge any fees for job applications, credit checks or interviews. She added that all municipal vacancies are advertised only through official channels, including the municipality’s website, official social media platforms and national newspapers.

She also warned residents about scams related to credit control and service disconnections.

“Credit control actions are preceded by a seven-day notice bearing the municipality’s logo, which is delivered to your property. Do not pay any amount to people who threaten you with disconnection,” she added.

The final scam involves fraudulent advertisements. Mahlangu reiterated that municipal jobs, quotations and tenders are advertised exclusively on official municipal platforms and in designated newspapers.

“RDP houses are not for sale. They are provided free of charge by the provincial government. None of our officials, service providers or contractors can help you bypass the allocation process,” she concluded.