Housing Department warns residents about housing scams

The City of Joburg’s Housing Department distances itself from South Jozi Homes. This follows reports of a website for housing units that are for rental purposes, under the impression that it is linked to the City.

According to a statement issued by the department, the website, www.jozihomes.com has been calling on interested parties to pay a deposit upon receiving a rental unit (rent to buy) in downtown Johannesburg.

“The Housing Department would like to categorically state that it has no link to this business, nor has it endorsed these types of rental units, which it has since established, does not exist,” said Member of the Mayoral Committee for Housing in the City of Johannesburg, Mlungisi Mabaso.

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Mabaso also stated that he has been inundated with calls from some victims that have been scammed by the perpetrators.

” Residents will be informed only through the official page of the City as well as the Department of Housing social media pages,” Mabaso said.

Residents are urged to be cautious when enquiring for rental units. Housing’s head office situated at 222 Smit Street, Braamfontein, as well as all seven Regional Housing offices (address available online) should be your first point of clarity for any rental units provided by the City or its implementing agency, Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO).

MMC Mabaso has called on members of the public with information of the perpetrators to report them to the Group Forensic Investigating Services (GFIS) at Sappi Building, 48 Ameshoff Street, 6th floor in Braamfontein or call the fraud hotline number on 0800002587 or use email: whistle@joburg.org.za. Confidentiality is guaranteed. GFIS is currently investigating.

“The perpetrator/s will be brought to be book and will face the full might of the law.

“South Jozi Homes has no relation with the City, Department of Housing, or any entity of the City.” Mabaso concludes.

The official social media accounts of the Department of Housing are:

:Twitter Facebook Instagram
: @CoJhousing
: City of Joburg Housing Department. coj_mmc_housing_I