The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Human Settlements in the City of Joburg, Mlungisi Mabaso, has warned of yet another attempt to scam residents who want houses. 

Another fraudulent social media account has surfaced, this time on TikTok where the scammer, who impersonates Mabaso, calls on residents to pay R25 000 to get a house in Lufhereng this week. 

A  media statement says the fraudster asks for a deposit of R7 500 to process the registration and says the balance will be paid on receipt of keys for the new house after two days. 

“I urge residents not to fall for this scam. The department does not sell RDP houses. I also want to reiterate that there are no housing allocations in Lufhereng this week,” said Mabaso. 

The Department of Human Settlements does, however, have a major project in Lufhereng and will open applications for rentals and allocations in the coming months. 

“We are in the final stages of completing our big project in Lufhereng and we will be opening up applications for rentals soon. Any communication about housing matters will be on the official website or official pages of the Human Settlements Department,” added Mabaso. 

He further emphasized that those who pay to buy a house or to skip the queue are just as guilty of crime as those who solicit the money. “It is public knowledge that the government provides RDP houses free of charge to qualifying beneficiaries, so if you are an accomplice to the crime, you face arrest and prosecution.” 

In February this year, three suspects were arrested for allegedly creating fake social media accounts in Mabaso’s name to solicit money from unsuspecting people. They promised RDP houses in exchange for cash. The case continues in the Hillbrow Magistrate’s Court. 

The public is urged to report to the police any person who demands money in exchange for a government-issued house or to skip the waiting list. They can also report fraudulent activities to Group Forensic and Investigation Service, Anti-Fraud and Corruption Reporting Channels, toll-free hotline: 0800 002 587 or Email: whistle@joburg.org.za