Latest news with #CertificateofAcceptability
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Beware of scammers posing as City health inspectors in Lentegeur
Scammers posing as City health inspectors are once again targeting businesses, demanding payment for fake "health certificates". Image: Supplied Scammers posing as City health inspectors are once again targeting businesses, demanding payment for fake "health certificates". The City said businesses in the Lentegeur area have reported that individuals posing as health officials are visiting shops and demanding certificates. The imposters then attempt to charge for issuing the 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 Certificate of Acceptability (COA). "In order to avoid being conned, business owners need to be aware that a 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," the City said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Mayco member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham, said scams are a serious threat to the 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 Higham. The City said when starting a business or considering any amendments to conditions of trade, business owners should rather consult the local Environmental Health office or the City's website to determine 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," Higham said. To find your local Environmental Health office, visit the City's website at 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
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Lentegeur businesses targeted by fake health officials
The City's Health Department is warning businesses, especially those in the Lentegeur area, against fake health officials trying to scam business owners. Image: City of Cape Town Businesses in the Lentegeur area are being warned to stay alert as scammers posing as City health officials attempt to extort money for fraudulent 'health certificates'. According to the City, these imposters have been visiting shops, demanding payment for so-called health certificates, and even threatening violence when business owners question their legitimacy. The City's Health Department has confirmed that there is no charge for the processing or issuing of a Certificate of Acceptability (COA). 'In order to avoid being conned, business owners need to be aware that a 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,' said the City. COAs are issued exclusively by the City's Health Department and printed on specialised paper with a holographic City logo, making them difficult to counterfeit. These certificates are only granted after submission of all required documentation and a physical inspection confirming compliance with legislation. Furthermore, all legitimate City officials carry formal identification reflecting the City logo, 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,' the City emphasised. Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham, described the scams as a 'serious threat to our small business community.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ '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 Higham. The City also advised businesses to consult their local Environmental Health office or the City's website for official guidance on requirements and processes before starting or making changes to their operations. '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,' Higham said. Cape Times
IOL News
02-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Scam alert: Businesses in Cape Town's Lentegeur targeted by imposters posing as health officials
Fake health officials are scamming Cape Town businesses by demanding payments for bogus certificates, prompting an urgent warning from the City. Image: File Businesses in the Lentegeur area of Cape Town are being warned to stay alert as scammers posing as City health officials attempt to extort money for fraudulent 'health certificates'. According to the City of Cape Town, these imposters have been visiting shops, demanding payment for so-called health certificates, and even threatening violence when business owners question their legitimacy. The City's Health Department has confirmed that there is no charge for the processing or issuing of a Certificate of Acceptability (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,' said the City. COAs are issued exclusively by the City of Cape Town's Health Department and printed on specialised paper with a holographic City logo, making them difficult to counterfeit. These certificates are only granted after submission of all required documentation and a physical inspection confirming compliance with legislation. Furthermore, all legitimate City officials carry formal identification reflecting the City logo, 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,' the City emphasised. Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham, described the scams as a 'serious threat to our small business community.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading '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 Higham. The city also advised businesses to consult their local Environmental Health office or the City's website for official guidance on requirements and processes before starting or making changes to their operations. '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,' Higham said. IOL News
The Citizen
22-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Ekurhuleni launches major crackdown on unsafe food outlets
In a coordinated effort to enforce public health and safety regulations, the EMPD By-Law and Compliance Unit, in partnership with Environmental Health, the Department of Home Affairs, SAPS, and Gauteng traffic wardens, conducted a series of food outlet inspections across the City of Ekurhuleni from May 6 to 8. The operations kicked off in Kwa-Thema on May 6, where eight spaza shops were inspected. Environmental health practitioners issued written notices to six of the outlets for non-compliance, while the remaining two were found to be compliant. ALSO READ: Thembisa butchery shut down over health violations Later that day, three shops in Phomolong were also visited, with no action required as they met all legal standards. On May 7, inspections moved to Tsakane, where six spaza shops were visited. Four received written notices for non-compliance. Three shops were visited in Elandsfontein, all of which were immediately shut down due to serious health violations. Meanwhile, three shops inspected in Boksburg on the same day were found to be fully compliant, and no action was taken. The operation continued on May 8 in Etwatwa, where five shops were visited. All five received written notices for non-compliance, with goods confiscated from some of the outlets. In Clayville, 15 spaza shops were inspected. Each was issued a notice to cease selling food products due to the absence of a Certificate of Acceptability (COA), in line with Regulation 636 sections 5 and 6. The City of Ekurhuleni has committed to continuing these operations to ensure that food outlets across all regions comply with health regulations, protect residents from unsafe food practices, and maintain public health standards. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
