Woman Arrested for Posing As City of Tshwane Official, Claimed She Could Clear Fines for a Fee

• The Tshwane Metro Police Department arrested a woman who allegedly posed as a City of Tshwane official
• City of Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya confirmed the arrest and explained how the woman was operating
• South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the issue, sharing tales of other people doing the same thing

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

GAUTENG - A 48-year-old woman is in police custody after the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) arrested her for allegedly impersonating a City of Tshwane official and defrauding members of the public.

City of Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya announced the arrest on X on 3 September 2026, warning residents to remain cautious of individuals falsely claiming to be municipal employees.

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How the Tshwane scam operated

According to the Mayor, the suspect approached members of the public and told them she could clear their outstanding traffic fines at a reduced rate.

She also claimed to have the ability to register vehicles on the eNaTIS system, South Africa's national traffic information database used for legitimate vehicle and licensing transactions. She was arrested by the TMPD and found with an employee card.

Social media users raise questions about similar schemes

The announcement drew significant reaction on social media, with several users pointing to a broader pattern of similar schemes operating openly near municipal offices.

@MsiyanaJokes wrote:

"The way people advertise this traffic fine clearing business on WhatsApp statuses, I even thought it was legal. Lol."

@nomzamoLaM1 asked:

"How did she get the employee access card?"

@ke_ramza responded:

"Whoever issued that card must be held accountable and brought to book."

@Sqhophololo claimed:

"These people stand outside the Visagie office and do it blatantly."

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@KayMatthews_10 added:

"These people have always been operating outside the TMPD offices at Frances Baard Street. Why were they allowed to operate there?"

Tshwane officer and wife arrested

In a related article, Tshwane Metro police officer Peter Nonyane and attorney wife Charlotte Tibana appeared in Polokwane Magistrate's Court.

The pair, who were charged with money laundering, came under scrutiny after a Pretoria vehicle dealership flagged a suspicious deal.

Briefly News reported that Tibana allegedly served as executor of two estates and facilitated unlawful transfers totalling over R3 million.

Source: Briefly News