As the City’s title deed campaign takes off, with more than 2 000 deeds delivered in recent months, scammers are seemingly taking advantage, demanding a massive R5 000 payment from vulnerable residents for title deeds or housing opportunities.
The City does not ask beneficiaries for money for the title deeds it is issuing as it is covering the costs. Residents are encouraged to report these incidents to the Human Settlements Call Centre or report it to the South African Police Service (Saps).
‘The City was made aware of this latest scamming attempt when a resident contacted the City’s Call Centre to enquire about the R5 000 she’d been asked to deposit to obtain her title deed. The staff member informed the resident that the City did not require payment for the title deeds it was delivering to beneficiaries.
“We have been tracking and tracing qualifying residents and have been visiting identified areas to deliver to the doorsteps of qualifying beneficiaries. Title deeds prove ownership and are important documents for financial transactions, including wills and loans.
“It is unfortunate that criminals are taking the positivity of title deeds to take advantage of residents, some of who are among the most vulnerable in our communities. We encourage residents to approach us about obtaining their title deed through the correct channels,” said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Carl Popham.
If you or a family member is a beneficiary of a City unit without a title deed, here’s what you need to do:
Identify title deed agents visiting your area. Have the following documents ready:
Owner ID and spouse ID (if applicable).
Marriage certificate (if applicable).
In the event of a death, provide a Letter of Authority, Death Certificate, or Will.
If you missed the team, bring the documents to the Cape Town Civic Centre, 2nd Floor Human Settlements Kiosk on Monday to Friday between 09:00 – 12:00. For more information or to verify, contact 021 444 0333 or email title.deeds@capetown.gov.za or visit your local housing office.
For email you will need:
Subject: Erf number, Area
Body of the email:
. The name in which the title deed is registered
. ID number
. Address
Contact the Human Settlements on 021 444 0333
Monday to Friday between 07:30 and 16:30
