Cape Town residents are being threatened with water restrictions and or disconnections, in the latest scheme of scammers posing as City officials.  

The City advised that it was recently alerted to an incident in Retreat, in which a resident was contacted by supposed staff of the Water and Sanitation Directorate to be told that their municipal account was in arrears and requested payment for the reconnection fee via cash send or e-wallet.  

The resident’s municipal account was, however, up to date.  

This prompted the City to alert locals, warning that the scammers make contact telephonically or via WhatsApp, provide relevant property details and request immediate payment. 

“This scam has been ongoing since last year… The City will never request payment via cash send or e-wallet to settle municipal bills,” read the City’s statement.  

Officials are urging residents to verify any communication they receive and to check their monthly bills to confirm their account status. The City advised those in arrears will receive official notices “via email or post on an official City of Cape Town letterhead”. 

Mayoral Committee Member for Water and Sanitation, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, warned that some residents may be more vulnerable. 

“We urge residents to remain extra vigilant and to verify any suspicious correspondence directly with the City before taking any action. Our concern is especially for customers who may be in arrears on their municipal accounts, as they could be more vulnerable to scams promising to prevent water disconnections or restrictions,” said Badroodien. 

The City said suspicious activity should be reported to the SAPS, the City’s Fraud Hotline on 0800 1100 77, or City law enforcement. Residents may also verify queries via the City’s call centre, SMS line, WhatsApp, email or online service request portal: 

• Call: 0860 103 089 

• SMS: 31373 (maximum 160 characters, free SMSs do not apply) 

• WhatsApp: 060 018 1505 

• Email: water@capetown.gov.za 
• Log a service request (often called a C3 request): www.capetown.gov.za/servicerequests