SD810A P11 9KG Gas Cylinders

Businesses and suppliers are advised to exercise caution after a Request for Quotation (RFQ) began circulating requesting companies to supply 250 units of SD810A P11 9KG Gas Cylinders. The document claims the supply is required for the Department of Human Settlements (DHS), with delivery listed at **Govan Mbeki House in Sunnyside, Pretoria.

According to the document, the bid opened on 12 March 2026 and is expected to close on 16 March 2026, giving suppliers only a short window to respond. The contact person listed in the RFQ is Nozipho Zulu, with telephone number +27 (012) 516 0089 and a cellphone number +27 65 549 2692.

Although the document appears structured like a normal government procurement request, suppliers should remain alert because fraudsters often copy legitimate government tender formats to trick companies into sharing sensitive information or participating in fake procurement processes.

The RFQ instructs bidders to submit several documents along with their quotation, including:

Company registration documents

Identification (ID) documents

Official quotation with VAT included

Compliance with technical specifications

While these requirements may seem standard for legitimate tenders, scammers frequently use such requests to collect business information that can later be used for identity theft, fraudulent contracts, or impersonating legitimate companies.

Another warning sign is the very short validity period of only three working days, which can pressure suppliers into responding quickly without properly verifying the authenticity of the request. Fraudsters often create urgency to prevent potential victims from conducting background checks.

In many procurement scams, criminals initially request quotations and documentation. Later, they may ask for registration fees, delivery deposits, administration costs, or inspection fees, claiming they are required before the contract can be awarded. In legitimate government procurement processes, departments do not charge suppliers upfront fees to participate in bids.

Suppliers are encouraged to verify any RFQ before sending documents. Official government procurement opportunities are usually published through recognized procurement systems managed by the National Treasury of South Africa, such as official tender bulletins or procurement portals.

How to protect your business from procurement scams:

✔ Verify the bid number and details through official government procurement channels.

✔ Confirm contact details through the department’s official website before responding.

✔ Avoid sending sensitive company documents to unverified email addresses.

✔ Be cautious of urgent RFQs with unusually short deadlines.

✔ Never pay upfront fees to participate in government tenders.

If you suspect a fraudulent RFQ or procurement scam, report it to the South African Police Service (SAPS) or the relevant government department.

Staying alert and verifying procurement requests can help businesses avoid tender scams that continue to target suppliers across South Africa. 🚨