A man pretending to be an eThekwini Municipal official tried to swindle a Durban business out of money by threatning to disconnect their services if they did not pay him.
Image: Pixabay / File
A smooth-talking and somewhat convincing conman pretending to work for the eThekwini municipality tried to swindle a Durban business out of R61,000 on Tuesday.
The man had put fear into the businesswoman on the phone call by threatening to arrive at her premises and disconnect her water and electricity supply if she did not pay him to stop the process.
A man impersonating a municipal official sent these messages to a Durban businesswoman on Tuesday
Image: Screengrab
The woman panicked when the man revealed details of the account and the outstanding amounts as well as previous billed amounts.
The woman contacted the eThekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement (ERPM) chairperson, Asad Gaffar for assistance. Gaffar said this was not the only incident reported. He said that individuals who are in arrears have been receiving phone calls and SMS concerning the amount that is in arrears. These individuals have been targeted.
Gaffar said the people calling them have all the information, including the account number, the outstanding arrear balances and the addresses.
“What they are asking the individuals is to make payments or part payments into fictitious accounts which do not belong to the municipality, and failing which these individuals don't make this payment, then they are ready to send out a team with disconnection notices who essentially target your electricity or water connections,” he said.
Gaffar urged residents to ignore these calls and SMS.
“We know from experience that many individuals who are threatened with disconnection capitulate and either make payment and try to settle these amounts as quickly as possible,” Gaffar added.
The ERPM was informed that the bank account number was not a municipal bank account. They advise people to be vigilant and aware of what is happening.
Gaffar took the businesswoman to the Durban Electricity customer services centre on Jeff Taylor Crescent to seek clarity, on Tuesday.
“While the municipality has not put out any notices that there will be no disconnections during this period, an official from the customer care centre confirmed that disconnections have been suspended during December 2025 and January 2026.
Gaffar said ERPM is profiling the individuals to get to the root of the problem.
The ERPM has created a video on their social media platforms warning residents of potential fraudsters/scammers.
In a previous alert by the municipaity on a similar issue, they advised the public to verify any municipal documentation before acting on it. Suspicious activity or the use of fraudulent documents should be reported to the City’s Integrity and Investigations Directorate by calling 0800 20 20 20 or 031 311 4002, or by emailing ombuds@durban.gov.za.
zainul.dawood@inl.co.za