‘Desperate’ accommodation-seekers warned of CBD housing scam
“We urge the public to always be vigilant of fraudulent activities and not to pay anyone for processing their housing applications. We are appalled at the scammers who prey on the emotions of our residents.”
Residents must ignore a phony message on social media asking them to “apply” to rent rooms at flats being built in the Pretoria CBD, the Housing Company Tshwane (HCT) warned.
“We would like to emphasise that this message is devoid of any truth and is a scam,” said Tshwane mayoral spokesperson Sipho Stuurman.
The message making the rounds on social media and other applications, requesting accommodation-seekers to apply for rooms at the flats, currently being constructed.
The flats are part of a Pretoria social housing project.
It was expected to yield about 1 200 units for low/middle income earners on corner Struben and Es’kia Mphahlele streets, near home affairs’ refugee reception centre.
Stuurman said the public was being cautioned not to fall for this scam, as the Tshwane metro or HCT had not issued application notices as yet.
“We urge the public to always be vigilant of fraudulent activities and not to pay anyone for processing their housing applications. We are appalled at the scammers who prey on residents’ emotions.
“We suspect that the aim of the scammers is to con vulnerable community members who are desperate for accommodation.”
He warned those peddling false information risked being arrested, charged and prosecuted, as their actions bordered to criminality.
“We request the public to contact the HCT whenever they come across such notices.”
The message read:
“Call before going NB application forms not allowed to leave venue.
“Comrades, I acquired this information from city of Tshwane at Bothongo Plaza last Friday and it’s legit, let us share with our brothers and sisters who are looking for rooms to rent Tshwane Housing, flats being built at Marabastad next to Home Affairs
Application open 28/29 June 2021
Requirements:
– 3-month bank statements
– Payslip
– ID copy
– Birth and or marriage certificate if any.
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