The Member of the Mayoral Committee in the City of Joburg, Cllr Mlungisi Mabaso has noted with great concern several fake social media accounts opened in his name and the Department of Housing.
In the account(s) posing as the MMC, the imposters are inviting members of the public to inbox their details or send a WhatsApp message for those who have applied for RDP houses from 1996-2000 under a Facebook account named “Mlungisi Mabaso Mmc Cllr”.
The Department and myself, in both my capacity as the MMC and an ordinary citizen, wishes to categorically dispel any existence of the account, as it is a scam. The Department nor I, will not use non-existent accounts or WhatsApp to send information relating to Housing.
The Department and myself, in both my capacity as the MMC and an ordinary citizen, wishes to categorically dispel any existence of the account, as it is a scam. The Department nor I, will not use non-existent accounts or WhatsApp to send information relating to Housing.
As if that is enough, a cell phone number (066 194 7515) is registered on Truecaller as “Mmc Of Housing M Mabaso”. I would like to categorically state that I do not own this number, nor have I registered it under RICA in my name.
This number, which has registered fraudulently, has extorted money from vulnerable citizens. I therefore urge the public to refrain from entertaining it.
The Department has one Facebook, one Twitter and one Instagram account. The ongoing of fake accounts is created by individuals who are capitalizing on people’s vulnerability of seeking houses. There are two accounts claiming to be belonging to the Department all which are Facebook accounts.
The use of social media is to send public notices and statements across and advice on the events the Department is conducting or has conducted. The Department shy’s itself from fake social media post encouraging people to pay money to secure houses.
Residents are encouraged to inquire from their Regional Housing offices or head office about circulating messages related to Housing.
I further urge residents are urged to report any form of criminal act, be it on social media or otherwise.
The matter has been reported to Group Forensic Investigating Services which is currently investigating this matter. The perpetrator/s will be brought to be book and will face the full might of the law.
The official social media accounts of the Department of Housing are the following:
Twitter : @CoJhousing
Facebook : City of Joburg Housing Department.
Instagram : coj_mmc_housing_I
08/07/2021