EThekwini municipality warns businesses of bogus license inspectors
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Date: 2025-03-28 10:42:39

EThekwini municipality warns businesses of bogus license inspectors

ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
28 MARCH 2025
 
ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY WARNS BUSINESSES OF BOGUS LICENSE INSPECTORS
 
EThekwini Municipality is issuing an urgent warning to business owners following several reports of fraudulent activities involving individuals impersonating business license inspectors. 
 
The scammers threaten businesses with penalties for operating without a license and offer to "assist" with business license applications in exchange for payments.
 
EThekwini Municipality’s Business Licensing Manager Qondi Liqwa said they have received complaints from some businesses who have fallen victim to these scams, with one reported case involving a fraudulent payment of R14 000.
 
Liqwa emphasised that the Municipality’s inspectors physically inspect businesses and will produce their appointment cards. 
 
“No legitimate Municipal inspector will request payments telephonically. Municipal inspectors operate on a rotational basis and are supervised. No single inspector is authorised to personally handle or ‘protect’ businesses,” she said.
 
Criminal cases have been reported to both Metro Police and the South African Police Service. 
 
Investigations are underway. 
 
The Municipality urges businesses to remain vigilant and follow these guidelines to avoid being scammed:
 
• Only apply for business licenses through Municipal Regional Business Licensing offices.
 
• Make payments to official Municipal accounts, never to personal accounts.
 
• Use Sizakala Centres for secure payments.
 
• Verify communication from official Municipal emails; from ‘@durban.gov.za’ and not Gmail accounts and phone numbers starting with 031 3111. 
 
The Municipality offers affordable licenses, with tuckshop and spaza shop owners paying R287 per year, and food business licenses costing R574. 
 
Businesses must renew their licenses annually, free of charge, for ongoing compliance.
 
For more information or assistance with business licenses, visit the Municipal Head Office of Business Licensing at the 7th Floor, Embassy Building, 199 Anton Lembede Street, 031 311 4535 or email licensing@durban.gov.za
 
ENDS
Issued by the eThekwini Municipality’s Communication Unit.