City of Cape Town commemorates International Fraud Awareness Week, the Ethics and Forensic Services Department embarked on numerous initiatives to educate and engage the residents on how not to become a victim of fraud.
As per ‘Fraud Fighters’, City of Cape Town reaffirmed zero tolerance against fraud. The officials also has a proactive approach to investigate the claims of fraud and corruption related to the city and its operation. They also encouraged the public to become fraud fighters and contact the officials to report any fraud or corruption occurring in their area.
One of the fraud fighting awareness initiatives includes a public outreach session, held on Nov 20, 2024, in the Cape Town Civic Centre that focuses on the services offered by the Ethics and Forensic Services Department and the external anti-fraud and corruption stakeholders of the city.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Finance – Councillor Siseko Mbandezi said that they urged the residents of Cape Town to be a pert of it and become fraud fighters. He affirmed that with their it will be more proactive in their efforts to fight fraud and corruption as an organisation, but it also protects members of the public in a world where what is real and not real is increasingly difficultto discern.
Mbandezi mentioned that their work is to investigate the allegations of fraud and corruption in the operations. The City of Cape Town is the one to alert the South African Police Service (SAPS) or prosecuting authorities of matters for investigation.
The City of Cape Town also assists the authorities with any investigations that involves public funds. It has a dedicated Fraud Hotline where anyone can provide anonymous tip offs and evidence of alleged wrongdoing which involves public funds.
Furthermore, the Finance Councillor highlighted that there are also fraud trends that affect the residents, such as scams regarding electricity purchases. Cons where fraudsters are posing as City officials or fraudulently offering the city services or sadly also when victims of fraud pay money for what is offered as city housing opportunities or are scammed into making payments to be placed on government housing lists.
Victims of fraud are already financially vulnerable, in particular pensioners. However, the money lost to these fraudsters is never recouped.
Siseko Mbandezi added further to his statement that it remains vital that residents always contact the fraud hotline or call centre to fact check anyone alleging to offer city or government services or claiming to be employed by the City of Cape Town.
“The old saying is that if it looks too good to be true, it probably is, remains very relevant even in our rapidly changing world,” said the Councillor.