City warns residents of housing scams targeting potential beneficiaries in Belhar

22 April 2026

The City’s Human Settlements Directorate is alerting residents, particularly beneficiaries residing in Belhar, to a scam involving fraudulent letters requesting payment for housing opportunities.

‘The City’s Human Settlements Directorate is aware of a poorly written letter or email currently in circulation targeting potential beneficiaries in Belhar and surrounding areas, falsely claiming that recipients must make payment to secure a housing opportunity. The letter contains spelling errors and makes reference to ‘RDP houses’. Residents are reminded that this is outdated terminology that is no longer used in the City’s housing programmes.

‘Residents are urged to remain vigilant, to treat any such communication with extreme caution and to report these to the City as soon as possible. If you are asked to pay for any housing opportunity, it is a scam. The City does not charge for housing opportunities, and no official process requires payment at any stage. Do not make any payments or share personal information with unknown individuals,’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Carl Pophaim.

‘The City reiterates that City housing opportunities are free and qualifying residents will never be asked to pay for placement on the City’s Housing Needs Register, or for allocation of housing opportunities as well as for any related housing service,

Remember:

All legitimate communication about City housing opportunities will come directly from City officials, through our formal and verifiable channels and, if in doubt, always phone the City’s Human Settlements Call Centre on 021 444 0333.
The City will never request payment for housing opportunities.

Report:

Fraud Hotline at 0800 32 31 30 or email fraud.hotline@capetown.gov.za
Call Centre: 0860 103 089
Contact the Human Settlements Call Centre on 021 444 0333
Business hours: Monday to Friday between 07:30 and 16:30

Beneficiaries are reminded to keep their housing registration details up to date: Visit the City’s housing offices or use official channels to update your contact information.

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office