City warns residents to verify people posing as contractors delivering termination notices in Soweto
City of Johannesburg’s Group Finance Department would like to caution and warn residents of Soweto, about people or individuals coming to their houses claiming to be delivering termination of services notices on behalf of the City.
The City notes with concern recent messages, voice notes and videos which have been circulating on social media regarding people purporting to be City’s contractors delivering bogus termination notices; and threatening that people’s houses will be sold should they not pay.
The City vehemently refuses the knowledge of these “contractors” and their authenticity in representing the City. These letters of notice have the City’s logo on and has so far been delivered to homes in Soweto but the City is concerned that it might have been distributed more widely.
Kgamanyane Maphologela, Director of Customer Communications for the City’s Group Finance Department, says the City appeals to residents who may have received these bogus notices to disregard them; and to contact the City should they be aware that they are in arrears to double check that a notice was indeed issued.
“Residents must not trust anyone claiming to be from the City or acting on behalf of the City without verifying them. Should residents be suspicious of unknown people soliciting payments, they should contact the City to verifying the identities of anyone claiming to be a City representative through the City’s Anti-Corruption Hotline (0800 002 587), Johannesburg Metro Police Department or any other law enforcement agencies to report such persons,” says Maphologela.
Maphologela says the City follows its Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy and its processes to communicate to residents who are in arrears.
Maphologela says pre-termination is often the last resort from the City to unresponsive residents who owe. The City continues to engage residents about their municipal bill by sending statements, messages, phone calls and follow-up.
How should residents protect themselves:
- Always check your municipal statements to check if your account is in arrears and if so, contact the City immediately.
- If unsure about how much you owe, contact the City by either calling the City’s Call Centre (0860 562874) or visit your nearest Customer Service Centre.
- Ask for proof of identity from anyone coming to your home claiming to be from the City.
- The City will never request your bank details at your home.
- Register on e-Joburg self-help portal to get your statements and ensure that you are in good standing with the City.
- Never offer to pay anyone who requests payment at your house.
- Call the City’s Anti-Fraud and Corruption Hotline (0800 002 587) to report anyone who solicits or offers bribes.
The City has safe and secure payment options, which are listed below:
• e-Joburg Portal: www.e-joburg.org.za
• With EasyPay, facilitating a quick payment option at many shops that you visit on a regular basis, including Pick ‘n Pay and Shoprite Checkers
• Debit orders
• Direct deposits at major banks
• ATMs
• Internet and cell phone banking
• SA Post Office
• Any Council pay-point (Customer Service Centre) – listed below:
o Midrand Civic Centre – 300 – 15th Road, Midrand.
o Sandton Civic Centre – 24 Fredman Drive, Sandton.
o Roodepoort City Hall – C/o Berlandina and Dieperink Streets, Roodepoort.
o Eureka House – C/o Marlborough Street & Rosettenville Road, Wemmerpan.
o Lenasia Civic Centre – C/o Rose Avenue & Eland Street, Lenasia Ext 2.
o Thuso House, 61 Jorissen Street, Braamfontein
o Ennerdale Ext 9 – C/o Katz Road & Smit Street, Ennerdale.
o Eldorado Customer Service Centre – 4046 Link Crescent Avenue, Ext 5, Eldorado Park.
o Randburg (Civic Centre), Braamfischer drive and Jan Smuts Road, Randburg
Customers who wish to make payment arrangements and do not wish to visit any of the abovementioned walk-in-centres may contact the City’s Credit Control Department by emailing them on creditcontrol@joburg.org.za