Beware of Fake Inspectors: SABC Clears the Air on TV Licence Scams
Scammers on the Prowl
South Africans are being urged to stay alert after reports surfaced of individuals pretending to be SABC TV licence inspectors. According to the public broadcaster, these impostors are allegedly attempting to gain access to homes under false pretences, sometimes with the intent to commit robberies.
“The SABC wishes to remind the public that it has not appointed any inspectors or officials to conduct physical inspections of television sets in households,” said a spokesperson.
Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity directly to the police. SABC stresses that door-to-door inspections are not part of its procedures, and all communication with TV licence holders occurs through secure and official channels only.
A Funding Crisis Behind the Warning
The warning comes amid ongoing challenges for the SABC in funding its public broadcasting mandate. At a briefing to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), CEO Nomsa Chabeli revealed that less than 20% of South African households pay their TV licence fees, a far cry from compliance rates in countries like the UK, where more than 80% of households pay the BBC licence fee.
This low compliance forces the SABC to rely heavily on commercial revenue. Chabeli explained, “83% of our revenue comes from commercial activities, and only 13% from TV licences, and that money keeps on declining year on year. We fund 55% of our mandate costs through this combination, but it is still significantly underfunded.”
With TV licence fees dwindling and scams on the rise, the SABC’s message to households is clear: never let anyone claiming to be a TV licence inspector into your home without verification.
Social Media Reacts
On social media, South Africans expressed concern over the growing impersonation cases. Many urged neighbors to share the warning widely, while some commented on the low TV licence compliance, linking it to rising security threats and the SABC’s funding struggles.
One Twitter user wrote, “If less than 20% of households pay their TV licence, no wonder people are trying to cash in by faking inspectors. Be careful out there, folks!”
The SABC continues to emphasize that all official TV licence communications are conducted electronically or via postal notices. Residents should remain vigilant, report any suspicious door-to-door activity, and remember that legitimate inspectors simply do not exist.
In the meantime, the broadcaster hopes that public awareness and vigilance will prevent these scams from becoming widespread, while also spotlighting the critical issue of TV licence compliance and the sustainability of public broadcasting in South Africa.
Source: IOL
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