- The City of Cape Town has issued a warning after an elderly Goodwood woman was robbed by individuals posing as City officials.
- Residents are urged to verify credentials before allowing access to their property and to report suspicious behavior.
- Community organisations emphasise the importance of remaining vigilant, especially during the festive season.
The City of Cape Town has issued a stern warning to residents, urging them to remain vigilant and avoid granting access to individuals posing as City officials without verifying their credentials.
This follows after an elderly woman from Goodwood was robbed after allowing two individuals, pretending to be City representatives, into her home.
“We are aware of the incident but are unsure if the police are investigating,” said John Ross, chair of the Goodwood Community Policing Forum (CPF).
The robbery occurred on Thursday morning, 17 October, when the woman unknowingly let the suspects into her property, resulting in the theft of several items.The Goodwood Neighbourhood Watch echoed this concern, advising residents to take extra caution.
“It’s crucial that no one is allowed into your house or property before verifying their credentials. This can be done by contacting the appropriate authorities,” the watch reminded the community. They further emphasized that as the festive “silly season” approaches, residents should be particularly careful.
“If in doubt, call your armed response company (AR Coys) or your local Neighbourhood Watch (NHW),” the watch advised.However, Goodwood police spokesperson WO Joseph Swartbooi stated that no formal report of the incident had been made to the police for further investigation.
Similarly, the City of Cape Town also noted that they were not aware of the case but emphasized the importance of reporting suspicious behavior to either the City’s law enforcement agencies or the police.
Verifying identity
City of Cape Town spokesperson Luthando Tyhalibongo highlighted the importance of verifying the identity of City staff or contractors before granting access to properties.
“All legitimate City staff and contractors will identify themselves prior to requesting access for any City-related work. Their identification card must display the City logo, the name and surname of the staff member or contractor, and an embedded photo. If residents are ever unsure, they should contact the City’s Call Centre,” Tyhalibongo urged.
As the community heads into the busy holiday season, both authorities and community organisations are united in reminding residents to remain vigilant, avoid complacency, and always verify the identity of anyone requesting access to their property.
Tips for residents
Always verify the work order number when an official visits your home. Check the official’s City-issued identification card.
The ID card must display the City logo, the name and surname of the staff member or mandated contractor, and must contain an embedded photo of the staff member or mandated contractor.
“If unsure, call the City’s Call Centre on 0860 103 089,” says Tyhalibongo.
