Scam alert: fake health officials at it again
02 July 2025
The City’s Health Department is warning businesses, especially those in the Lentegeur area, against fake health officials trying to scam business owners.
Scammers posing as City health inspectors are once again targeting businesses, demanding payment for fake 'health certificates'.
Businesses in the Lentegeur area have reported to City Health that individuals posing as health officials are visiting shops and demanding certificates. The imposters then attempt to charge for issuing these certificates and threaten shop operators with violence if they ask for proof of identification.
The City would like to again inform the public that there is no charge associated with the processing or issuing of a COA.
In order to avoid being conned, business owners need to be aware that a Certificate of Acceptability (COA) that was issued since the updated regulations were published in 2018, remain valid unless the premises has a change in management, is sold, physical changes are made to the premises and/or to the scope of operations.
Only the City of Cape Town Health Department has the legal mandate to issue COAs to food premises which, when issued, are printed on specifically manufactured paper with a holographic City logo that prevents it from being replicated.
COAs are only awarded on submission of all relevant documentation, and a physical inspection to ensure that the premises complies with legislative requirements.
All City officials carry formal identification with the City logo showing their name, department, and designation.
In their capacity as City employees, no one can request any rewards, gifts, favours and/or hospitality and do not have a general right to accept any of these.
Furthermore, City officials are not permitted to accept payment directly from clients and any applications that do require payment should only occur at a City cash office or via an electronic funds transfer into the City’s bank account – details of which are available on the City’s website.
‘These scams are a serious threat to our small business community. Pretending to be City officials is an old trick and businesses are urged to be vigilant. I want to encourage anyone who has been conned or threatened in this manner to please report it to the police and provide as much information as possible so that those responsible can be brought to book,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.
The City’s advice to businesses is two-fold.
When starting your business or considering any amendments to your conditions of trade, rather consult your local Environmental Health office or the City’s website to determine what exactly you need, how to apply for it and what costs are applicable, if any.
‘If you’re approached or anyone visits your premises and demands payment or any type of reward for any type of inspection or documentation, insist on checking their credentials and verifying their story with the local Environmental Health office. Business owners can also check the legitimacy of any documentation provided by a third party with their EHPs,’ added Councillor Higham.
To find your local Environmental Health office, visit the City’s website at https://www.capetown.gov.za/Departments/City%20Health%20Department .
Owners of premises who are concerned that persons may be fraudulently representing themselves as City Health officials or that the documentation issued to them may be fraudulent, are encouraged to engage City Health at Verify.COA@capetown.gov.za .
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
