IMPERSONATORS ON THE LOOSE

NOEL IYOMBWA writes LUSAKA City Council (LCC) has warned the business community in the city to be wary of some unscrupulous people impersonating Council public health inspectors. LCC public relations manager George Sichimba noted with concern, a growing number of complaints from business owners that they are being harassed by some people claiming to be public health inspectors from the local authority. He said that the unscrupulous people are going round business premises conducting fake inspections and coming up with trumped up charges. He said in some cases, business owners are being asked to pay penalties as high as K35,000.00 for alleged noncompliance with the public health standards. Mr Sichimba explained that business owners are being threatened with closure of their businesses should they fail to pay penalties on the spot.  “This scam has become more prominent in the industrial area and private schools although isolated cases are reported in other areas. “These individuals are also asking for financial contributions towards the fight against the spread of Coronavirus purporting that they doing so on behalf of Lusaka City Council when in fact not. “The business community should be informed that LCC public health inspectors use Council vehicles and move in groups/pairs when they are conducting inspections and they can easily be identified by their identity cards and LCC branded attire,” he said. He clarified that LCC public health inspectors do not ask for cash payments for penalties on the spot or demand that you deposit the money in mobile money accounts. Mr Sichimba advised all those found wanting to make payments in designated pay points and banks and official Council receipts issued. He noted that this applies to all other services offered by the local authority with no agents engaged to collect fees on behalf of the Council. “Business owners should always be skeptical about people demanding cash payments on the spot and such people should always be reported to Council for verification. Further, LCC does not go round business premises soliciting for contributions towards the fight against COVID-19. ” Individuals and organisations that wish to partner with LCC in the fight against the disease come to Civic Centre and make donations in a transparent manner. “People impersonating LCC public health inspectors should, therefore, be warned that their days are number” he said. The Sun