City of Ekurhuleni
By Mpho Moloi
The City of Ekurhuleni is warning the public against tender scammers targeting unsuspecting businessmen. The municipality said there has been a recent rise of fraudulent activity where scammers deceive potential bidders into sending them money. In a statement released on 3 March 2025, the City highlighted a disturbing trend of scammers impersonating city officials to trick individuals into providing personal information and soliciting payments, urging residents and businesses to remain vigilant.
This alert comes amid growing concerns over financial losses suffered by local businesses, with scammers exploiting the City’s tender processes to extract money from unsuspecting victims. The City’s swift action follows a series of incidents, including the arrest of Salome Lekalakala, the secretary in the office of the Ekurhuleni council speaker, last week, for her alleged role in a similar scam.
Rise in Tender Fraud: A Growing Threat in Ekurhuleni
Tender fraud has become a pressing issue in South Africa, particularly in municipalities like Ekurhuleni, where large-scale infrastructure and service contracts attract significant interest from service providers. According to the City’s latest statement, scammers are using sophisticated tactics to impersonate officials, contacting potential bidders via phone calls, emails, and even fake documents bearing the City’s logo. These fraudsters typically instruct tender bidders to send money in order to secure a contract or request payment as a “thank you” for being awarded the tender.
In the latest incident, a service provider received a phone call from an individual pretending to be a city official, informing them that they were being considered for a major tender. The scammer allegedly recited personal information from the bidder’s application to gain trust, then demanded payment to “fast-track” the process or secure the contract. The City has clarified that all legitimate tender applications and processes are handled and processed free of charge, with no fees or payments required at any stage.
Posts found on X and recent news reports, such as those on EWN Updates and Benoni City Times, indicate that this scam has been a topic of concern since at least early 2025. On 25 February 2025, @EversonLuhanga on X reported allegations linking the Ekurhuleni council speaker to fraud, with claims that Lekalakala scammed R175,000 from a service provider into a personal account, allegedly benefiting the speaker through kickbacks. While these posts on X are inconclusive and require verification, they reflect growing public sentiment and suspicion around tender fraud in the region.
Arrest of Salome Lekalakala: A Breakthrough in the Fight Against Fraud
Last week, the South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested Salome Lekalakala, the secretary in the office of the Ekurhuleni council speaker, following an investigation into fraudulent activities. Lekalakala admitted to deceiving service providers into transferring payments to her personal bank accounts in exchange for securing city contracts. This admission marks a significant breakthrough in the City’s efforts to curb tender fraud, as it exposes internal vulnerabilities that scammers exploit.
According to The Citizen and News24 reports from early 2025, similar cases of tender fraud in Ekurhuleni have resulted in hefty penalties, such as the 2022 sentencing of former officials and businessmen involved in a R21.8 million tender fraud case. Those individuals, including former IT executives and a businessman, were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 10 to 15 years for fraud, corruption, and money laundering. This historical context underscores the City’s commitment to addressing fraudulent activity, as seen in Lekalakala’s arrest and the ongoing public warnings.
The City of Ekurhuleni has vowed to “vigorously pursue all legal remedies available” against those involved in tender fraud, as stated in its supply chain management (SCM) policies. Residents and businesses are encouraged to report suspicious activities to the SAPS at 08600 10111 or the City’s fraud hotline on 0800 102 201.
How Scammers Operate: Red Flags to Watch For
Scammers targeting Ekurhuleni’s tender processes often pose as city officials, using fake phone numbers, emails, and documents to deceive victims. According to the City’s official website (www.ekurhuleni.gov.za), several red flags can help differentiate legitimate communications from scams:
• Official Name: The City’s correct name is “City of Ekurhuleni,” not “Ekurhuleni Municipality” or any variation.
• Contact Details: Legitimate landlines within the City start with the 999 prefix (e.g., 011 999 xxxx).
• Email Addresses: Official City emails are formatted as persons’name.surname@ekurhuleni.gov.za, not variations like XXX@ekurhuleni-gov.org.
• No Fees: Tender applications and processes are free, and the City never requests payments to secure or expedite contracts.In recent years, the City has warned against other scams, including those involving Certificates of Acceptability, title deeds, and job opportunities, as detailed in reports from 2019 to 2024 on its website. The current tender scam follows a similar pattern, with fraudsters luring victims to meetings or demanding payments for fictitious services, such as the “removal, cleaning, and rehabilitation of illegally dumped waste,” as noted in a 2020 warning.
Impact on Local Businesses and the Community
The rise in tender scams has had a devastating impact on local businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ekurhuleni, which rely on municipal contracts for growth. According to IOL News and SAnews, businesses have lost millions of rands to scammers, with over R2 million reportedly defrauded in similar schemes as far back as 2019. These losses not only affect individual companies but also erode trust in the City’s procurement processes, potentially deterring legitimate bidders.
The community, too, feels the ripple effects. Fraudulent activities undermine public confidence in local governance and divert resources away from critical services like infrastructure, healthcare, and education. The City’s MMC for Finance, Nkululeko Dunga, emphasized in a recent interview with SABC News that protecting businesses from scams is a priority to ensure fair competition and economic development in Ekurhuleni.
City of Ekurhuleni’s Response and Preventive Measures
In response to the surge in tender fraud, the City of Ekurhuleni has taken decisive action. Beyond Lekalakala’s arrest, the municipality has intensified its public awareness campaigns, urging residents and businesses to verify any communications claiming to be from the metro. The City’s SCM policies, outlined on its website, commit to “fair dealing and integrity” in procurement activities, requiring all officials and role players to disclose conflicts of interest and act with transparency.
The City also encourages vigilance, advising potential tender bidders to check the official tender bulletin on www.ekurhuleni.gov.za or contact the central procurement office for clarification. As of 17 February 2025, the City listed several open tenders, including those for uniforms, laundry services, and toilet paper supply, all accessible for free download. This transparency aims to counter the misinformation spread by scammers.
Moreover, the City’s fraud hotline (0800 102 201) and partnership with SAPS provide avenues for reporting suspicious activities. According to a 2024 report on the City’s website, scammers demanding money to stop “scheduled disconnections” have also been targeting ratepayers, showing the breadth of fraudulent schemes in the region.
Broader Context: Tender Fraud in South Africa
Tender fraud is not unique to Ekurhuleni but is a widespread issue across South African municipalities. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) have uncovered numerous cases, such as the R21.8 million Ekurhuleni tender fraud from over a decade ago, where officials and businessmen were jailed for corruption and money laundering. Reports from News24 and The Citizen in 2022 detailed how these cases involved conflicts of interest and bid rigging, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities in municipal procurement.
Trending on X, discussions about governance and corruption in South African municipalities, including Ekurhuleni, have gained traction in early 2025, reflecting public frustration and calls for accountability. While these trends are inconclusive, they suggest a broader sentiment of distrust that the City’s current efforts aim to address.
Tips for Avoiding Tender Scams
For businesses and individuals navigating Ekurhuleni’s tender processes, the City offers practical advice to avoid falling victim to scams:
1. Verify Communications: Always confirm the authenticity of emails, phone calls, or documents by contacting the City’s central procurement office directly using official contact details on www.ekurhuleni.gov.za.
2. Be Wary of Payments: Never send money or make payments to secure a tender or contract, as all processes are free.
3. Check Official Channels: Review open tenders on the City’s website or TenderBulletins.co.za, and avoid responding to unsolicited offers.
4. Report Suspicious Activity: Use the fraud hotline (0800 102 201) or SAPS (08600 10111) to report scammers immediately.By staying informed and cautious, businesses can protect themselves from the financial and reputational damage caused by tender scammers.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening Ekurhuleni’s Procurement Integrity
The City of Ekurhuleni remains committed to rooting out fraud and rebuilding trust in its tender processes. MMC Dunga told Daily Maverick in February 2025 that the municipality is exploring stricter vetting of officials, enhanced digital security for tender applications, and public education campaigns to prevent future scams. These measures build on the City’s existing SCM policies, which prohibit collusion, bid rigging, and fronting, as outlined in the Preferential Procurement Regulations, 2011, and the Competition Act No. 89 of 1998.
As Ekurhuleni continues to grow as an economic hub in Gauteng, protecting its procurement system is critical to attracting legitimate investors and fostering local development. The arrest of Salome Lekalakala and the public warning against tender scammers signal a proactive approach, but ongoing vigilance from both the City and the public will be essential.
Contact Information
For more information or to report fraud, contact:
• City of Ekurhuleni Fraud Hotline: 0800 102 201
• SAPS Emergency Line: 08600 10111
• Central Procurement Office: 011 999 6540/656775
• Website: www.ekurhuleni.gov.za
🔴 Central News Special Edition | Issue 94 🔴 Download the Latest Print and E-Edition | Headline: “I am a proud International criminal,
Malema Fires back at Musk and Trump”
Download Here:
Direct PDF Link:
https://centralnews.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Central-News-Issue-094.pdf
Read all our publications on magzter:
https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues
Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.
We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.
Advertisement:
To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za
For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za
Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za
General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za
Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za
Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487
Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za
Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube