The City of Cape Town is closing in on a suspected syndicate that has tried to fleece around R800 000 from city coffers.
|||The City of Cape Town says it is closing in on a suspected crime syndicate that has tried to fleece around R800 000 from city coffers in an elaborate scam.
Mayor Patricia de Lille said the alarm was raised by “concerned ratepayers”.
“(This) has led us to uncover what we believe to be a crime syndicate that has tried to defraud the city by submitting false claims and bank account numbers in respect of service refunds.
“By acting swiftly we have prevented losses in the amount of approximately R800 000.”
De Lille’s spokesman, Solly Malatsi, said revealing more information on the suspected syndicate risked “jeopardising the on-going investigations”.
The city said it was also combating fraud elsewhere
Two weeks ago, a local businessman was found guilty of corruption after fraudulently obtaining city tenders worth R1.9 million.
Nigel du Plooy was found guilty of fraud and corruption in the Bellville Commercial Crimes Court. Du Plooy was handed a R30 000 fine or year in prison.
In January, a former city employee was sentenced to three years in jail for a housing scam. Nomhkitha Matinisi was found guilty of eight counts of corruption in the Bellville Commercial Crime Court.
The court found she had sold houses, meant for those who had lost their homes in a fire, to other people.
In court, it was stated she made just over R16 000.
De Lille said the city’s forensic department had monthly meetings with the Hawks and the Special Commercial Crime Unit.
“The city has adopted a zero tolerance approach towards fraud and corruption and fraudsters must realise we will pursue them to the full extent of the law,” said De Lille.
bronwynne.jooste@inl.co.za
Cape Argus