Durban residents are being urged to remain vigilant after a 49-year-old man was arrested in Glen Anil, KwaZulu-Natal, for allegedly posing as an eThekwini Municipality water department official and extorting money from unsuspecting homeowners. Police confirmed that the suspect issued fraudulent disconnection notices, threatening to cut the water supply unless residents paid him in cash or via electronic transfer.
The scam came to light when a vigilant Sunningdale homeowner, aware of the fraudulent activity circulating in Durban, contacted the suspect and then immediately alerted Marshall Security upon his arrival. Armed response officers and the Special Operations Team swiftly responded, apprehending the suspect before he could defraud the resident. Durban North SAPS and municipal officials later confirmed the man had no affiliation with the municipality.
Marshall Security managing director Tyron Powell praised the homeowner’s quick action, stating that community vigilance and immediate reporting are crucial in combating such scams. He emphasised that no resident should make payments to individuals claiming to be municipal workers without verifying their identity through official channels.
The arrest follows other reported incidents, including one where Durban resident Sumen Moodley narrowly avoided being scammed after consulting his community WhatsApp group. The impersonator attempted to extort R200 from him, claiming it was needed for a “cool drink” to prevent the installation of a water restrictor. Fraudulent notices circulating on WhatsApp even claimed restrictors were being installed to manage water shortages, warning residents not to tamper with them.
The eThekwini Municipality has since issued a warning confirming that criminals are disguising themselves as employees of the Water Services Directorate. Officials said these impostors solicit bribes by threatening to disconnect water supplies, stressing that genuine municipal workers will never request cash payments or bribes at residents’ homes.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the fraud and extortion charges against the suspect, adding that investigations are ongoing. Authorities urge residents to report suspicious activity immediately, avoid paying money to unverified individuals, and verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a municipal official.
Security experts warn that these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with fraudsters using fake documentation and WhatsApp messages to trick residents. Both police and the municipality stress the importance of awareness campaigns and community cooperation to ensure that such criminals are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.
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