KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna Municipality has issued an urgent warning after a surge in incidents involving fraudulent letters of appointment and fake municipal purchase orders.
According to Knysna Municipal Manager Lulamile Mapholoba, scammers have been targeting unsuspecting businesses by posing as municipal officials offering tender opportunities, often accompanied by fake documentation.
"We urge all service providers, along with the broader community of Greater Knysna, to immediately report incidents of suspected fraud and to be vigilant against falling for the traps set by tender scammers," said Mapholoba.
He emphasised that the municipality’s Supply Chain Management Department follows strict procurement procedures, and any deviation from these processes should be considered a red flag.
"Scammers are unscrupulous criminals who find increasingly clever ways to trick hard-working, honest individuals into parting with their hard-earned money," he said.
"As the municipality cannot be held responsible for any incidents of fraudulent transactions, we encourage service providers to guard themselves against this type of crime."
How to avoid being scammed
The municipality outlined several tips to help potential service providers avoid falling victim to fraud:
- Verify all requests and company details through official municipal channels
- Do not commence any work unless you have received an official, authorised municipal purchase order
- Never pay upfront fees for tenders or job offers
- Check email addresses: All official correspondence will come from addresses ending in @knysna.gov.za – not from Gmail, Hotmail, or other public email providers
- Beware of contact numbers: Official communications will always include a landline number, not a cellphone number.
- Check the website: All legitimate tenders and bids are advertised on the municipality’s official website
- Inspect logos carefully: Fraudulent documents may have distorted or incorrect logos, including inconsistent sizing and colouring
Reporting fraud
Residents and service providers are encouraged to report any suspicious communication or suspected fraudulent activity through the following channels:
- The Collaborator app
- The national anti-corruption hotline: 0800 701 701 or via email at nach@opsc.gov.za
- The Western Cape Provincial Fraud Line: 021 483 0931 or tip.offs@westerncape.gov.za
- The South African Police Service (SAPS)
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