By 
BLOEMFONTEIN — Scammers are preying on the desperate housing needs of Free State residents, deploying an audacious identity-theft scheme that targets both vulnerable citizens and the province’s highest housing office.
The Free State Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and Human Settlements has issued an urgent public warning following the discovery of a sophisticated syndicate operating across social media platforms.
The Anatomy of the Con
According to the Spokesperson for the department Ms Zimasa Mbewu, fraudsters have actively constructed a digital smokescreen to siphon money from unsuspecting victims. The criminals have built fake social media profiles utilizing the name and photograph of the MEC for COGTA and Human Settlements, Mr. Saki Mokoena.
To cement the illusion of legitimacy, the syndicate has illegally integrated the official logos of both the Free State Department of Human Settlements and the Housing Development Agency (HDA) into their digital storefronts.
Through these deceptive channels, the scammers are falsely advertising “Breaking New Ground” (BNG) houses in Bloemfontein for a flat rate of R50,000. This heavily discounted buy-in price is deliberately designed to lure desperate, low-income families looking for immediate housing security.
The Golden Rules of Government Housing
In response to the growing threat, provincial authorities have laid down hard facts to dismantle the fraudsters’ pitch:
- Zero Purchase Cost: The South African government does not sell RDP or BNG houses under any circumstances.
- No “Express” Fees: No official, representative, or third-party agent has the authorization to request or accept cash payments to “fast-track” or guarantee a spot on a housing waiting list.
- Strict Policy Compliance: Beneficiaries are selected strictly through approved legislative policies and qualifying criteria. No financial transaction can bypass this process.
Law Enforcement Clamps Down
Government investigators are not taking the identity-jacking lightly. COGTA spokesperson Ms. Zimasa Mbewu confirmed that the department is actively collaborating with law enforcement agencies to track down the digital footprints of the scammers and bring them to book.
“Members of the public are urged not to engage with or transfer money to anyone claiming to sell government houses,” the department warned in its directive.
What To Do If Targeted
If you receive a suspicious call, WhatsApp, text message, or social media solicitation promising a government home in exchange for money, authorities advise taking the following immediate steps:
- Do not pay: Terminate all communications immediately.
- Report it: Head to your nearest South African Police Service (SAPS) station to file an official report.
- Notify the department: Report the contact details of the fraudsters to COGTA.
For legitimate inquiries regarding housing waiting lists and provincial programs, citizens must bypass social media intermediaries and rely exclusively on the official communication channels of the Free State Department of COGTA and Human Settlements.
