With census 2022 fieldworkers descending on suburbs to collect population and housing data until March, residents are cautioned to be alert to opportunistic criminals who may pose as municipal or other census service providers in an attempt to gain access to properties.

This is South Africa’s fourth post-democracy population count, during which at least 165 000 fieldworkers will be deployed to count everyone within our borders.

Stats SA fieldworkers can be identified through an official identification card, which displays the Stats SA logo. A photograph and a unique number of the fieldworker also appears on the card.

Charnel Hattingh, head of marketing and communications at Fidelity ADT, said while respondents will have the option this time of completing the census questionnaire digitally with or without the assistance of a fieldworker, many people will have fieldworkers arriving at their gates.

“Verification is vital, as is the case with any other person claiming to be a service provider or council worker. This year, the official website statssa.gov.za provides a list of fieldworkers by province, so homeowners can easily verify their identification online before allowing them in.

“If you have registered and completed the questionnaire online, then someone wanting to redo the process at your gate should raise a red flag,” said Hattingh.

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