Magalies Water CEO tender scam: Urgent warning to bidders
Magalies Water has warned bidders about a tender scam targeting businesses that recently applied for contracts with the water utility. Scammers are…
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Magalies Water has warned bidders about a tender scam targeting businesses that recently applied for contracts with the water utility.
Scammers are impersonating Magalies Water CEO Ofentse Nthutang and contacting bidders who responded to recently advertised tenders.
The scammers have also used the CEO’s compromised email account to contact potential victims.
Magalies Water issued the warning after detecting the scam and urged bidders to remain vigilant.
Scammers target Magalies Water bidders
Unknown individuals are posing as Nthutang and contacting businesses that recently responded to Magalies Water tenders.
The scammers send emails from the chief executive’s compromised email account.
They then instruct bidders to contact the supposed CEO on 060 506 8092.
Magalies Water confirmed that the cellphone number does not belong to Nthutang.
“Unknown individuals purporting to be Magalies Water Chief Executive – Mr. Ofentse Nthutang are engaging with bidders that have responded to recently advertised tenders,” the utility said.
Magalies Water warns over tender process
Magalies Water said the scam could create doubts about how the utility conducts its business and procurement processes.
The utility operates under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and National Treasury Regulations.
It also stressed that Nthutang does not engage directly with bidders about the awarding of tenders.
Doing so would constitute a contravention of procurement requirements.
Magalies Water has urged bidders to ignore suspicious emails and messages linked to the cellphone number.
It also advised businesses to authenticate information they receive from the utility, particularly when they have doubts about whether a communication is legitimate.
“Bidders are cautioned to remain vigilant, not to respond to the emails and messages from the number, and to always authenticate all information received from Magalies Water, especially when in doubt,” it said.