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Friday, July 25, 2025

The City urges you to report scams and fake news

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The City urges you to report scams and fake news. This week, International Whistleblowers Day was commemorated, putting the spotlight on whistleblowers.

Blow the whistle on scams and fake news

 

 

On the day, the City of Cape Town’s Ethics and Forensics Department sounded the alarm and asked citizens, especially the youth, to join the fight against fraud, corruption and online scams. The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, Councillor Siseko Mbandezi, says you could save someone from being conned by sending a simple, anonymous tip to 0800 32 31 30.

The City urges you to report scams and fake news

Be Cape Town’s next hero whistleblower

 

 

Is your granny about to fall for a WhatsApp scam? Is someone trying to “sell” you a spot on the City’s housing list? You might just be Cape Town’s next hero whistleblower.

 

MMC Mbandezi added, “Our youth are digital natives – they know the tricks. That’s why we’re calling on them to help protect their communities, their parents, and their future.”

READ MORE: Amnesty International: No one is safe in South Africa

 

Online fraud is getting sneakier

 

Online fraud is getting sneakier – think AI-generated deepfakes, fake branding, dodgy emails, and “official” threats to cut your water or electricity. But here’s the truth: the City does NOT charge to be placed on a housing waiting list, and no one can privately “sell” you City services.

The City urges you to report scams and fake news
Image: Transparency International

 

MORE ABOUT: Whistleblowers’ safety is everyone’s safety

 

 

Misinformation spreads like wildfire

 

 

Misinformation spreads like wildfire, and the digital overload can cloud even the sharpest minds. That’s why officials are urging residents to pause, verify, and check the source before sharing anything online.

“Blowing the whistle is not just brave — it’s vital. Cape Town has strict whistleblower protections and is serious about every tip-off,” he concluded.

🎯 If you see something, say something: 0800 32 31 30. Stay sharp. Stay safe.

Merentia Van Der Vent
Merentia Van Der Vent
Merentia joined the media world in 1996 and in 2001, she took her first steps in the broadcasting world. In her free time, she likes to go on adventures in the city. She also likes to learn new dances, not that she is any good at that.

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