The City of Mbombela (CoM) has issued a warning about an ongoing tender scam targeting potential bidders.

According to the CoM’s spokesperson, Joseph Ngala, fraudsters are contacting bidders while pretending to be the municipal manager, Wiseman Khumalo. The impersonator then demands money in exchange for awarding tenders.

Lowvelder is in possession of an SMS and a voice message from a person falsely claiming to be Khumalo.

The CoM has strongly condemned the scam and distanced itself from the practice.

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“The municipality emphasises that its approved supply chain management policy is strictly adhered to when it comes to tender advertisements. These are properly evaluated and adjudicated before any appointments are made. Under no circumstance would the City manager, or any other municipal official, solicit money directly from bidders. This is totally different from the official, transparent tendering process,” Ngala said.

He also urged victims and other members of the public to immediately report such incidents to the police. “It is the only way an investigation can be conducted and the fraudsters brought to justice.”

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Khumalo told Lowvelder that he has already opened a case against the scammers at the Nelspruit Police Station. He emphasised that the telephone number used in the scam does not belong to him.

“Some bidders received text messages from the same number, with individuals demanding money in exchange for tenders. I cannot rule out the possibility that these fraudsters are working within the municipality. I trust the police to investigate and locate them – and the victims must also take action. So far, no one has admitted to paying any money to the scammers. I warn the public not to pay to be awarded tenders,” he said.

The scammers appear to be targeting bidders from other municipalities who are unfamiliar Khumalo personally.