If you recently received a suspicious WhatsApp message from the mayor, be aware that it is not him, but rather a scammer impersonating him.

Spokesperson for the executive mayor, Palesa Molefe, is alerting all residents that fraudsters are impersonating Executive Mayor Lucky Sele on WhatsApp.

“Fake accounts are being used to mislead and scam residents. Please note that the executive mayor does not conduct official business, request personal details or solicit money via WhatsApp.”

She added that any communication claiming to be from the mayor through unknown numbers is fraudulent.

She urged residents to ignore and block suspicious WhatsApp messages, not to share personal or financial information from these requests, and to report impersonation attempts immediately to the municipality and police.

“Your vigilance will help stop these scams,” she concluded.