A TikTok video promising employment for hundreds of job seekers has left thousands of hopefuls stranded in the streets of Alrode on March 13.
A viral post from two local individuals, Thabang Moloi and Kim Baloi from Gauteng People’s Parly, sparked widespread confusion among unemployed individuals after being promised jobs.
The video claimed that Veer Steel Mill, a company with alleged ties to illegal migrant labour, was hiring 500 individuals causing over 8 000 people, mostly youth, to send their CVs in search of work.
@albertonrecord The video claimed that Veer Steel Mill, a company with alleged ties to illegal migrant labour, was hiring 500 individuals causing over 8 000 people, mostly youth, to send their CVs in search of work.
The video, which quickly gained traction, asserted that Veer Steel Mill had hired over 500 illegal migrants, and now, in a bid to rectify the situation, was offering jobs to local job seekers.
As the news spread like wildfire on social media, individuals from Greater Alberton and surrounding areas printed CVs and gathered at the location with high hopes of securing employment. The viral claim led to a tense situation when job seekers arrived only to learn that the promises were entirely false.
The disappointment on the ground
On the day of the supposed recruitment event, thousands of unemployed individuals, many of them young and eager to support their families, stood in long queues, only to be met with disappointment.
Lebohang Sethosa, a job hunter who had travelled from Thokoza, shared his frustration.
@albertonrecord Lebohang Sethosa, a job hunter who had travelled from Thokoza, shared his frustration. “I woke up at 03:30 this morning, hoping to find work, only to realise we’ve wasted our last money standing in these queues for nothing. We were told to wait for at least two weeks for the company to work with the Department of Home Affairs to find out what to do next,” frustrated Sethosa said.
“I woke up at 03:30 this morning, hoping to find work, only to realise we’ve wasted our last money standing in these queues for nothing. We were told to wait for at least two weeks for the company to work with the Department of Home Affairs to find out what to do next,” frustrated Sethosa said.
A Veer Steel Mill representative, who wished to remain anonymous, explained that the viral video was a hoax.
“These individuals, Moloi and Baloi, have caused a lot of confusion. Even if we were hiring, we would follow the proper recruitment protocol. We don’t hire 500 people a day, and the number of foreign nationals working here is far fewer than what has been reported,” he said.
To address the matter and resolve the situation, the company intends to work with the Department of Home Affairs to conduct eligibility checks on foreign workers. They also indicated that the CVs collected during the incident would be reviewed for potential future opportunities.
A growing crisis of unemployment
This incident highlights the ongoing employment crisis in South Africa, where millions of citizens face increasing difficulty in finding stable work.
@albertonrecord A Veer Steel Mill representative, who wished to remain anonymous, explained that the viral video was a hoax. “These individuals, Moloi and Baloi, have caused a lot of confusion. Even if we were hiring, we would follow the proper recruitment protocol. We don’t hire 500 people a day, and the number of foreign nationals working here is far fewer than what has been reported,” he said.
According to the latest data from Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), the unemployment rate stood at a staggering 31.9% for the last quarter of 2024.
Additionally, underemployment, which refers to individuals working fewer hours than they desire, remains a pressing issue, recorded at 4.6%.
The youth are particularly hard hit. The unemployment rate for young people aged 15 to 34 remains alarmingly high, contributing to the growing frustration in communities like Alberton.
For many, false promises like the one made by Moloi and Baloi only add fuel to an already volatile situation.
The economic strain
The country’s ongoing economic challenges have exacerbated the unemployment crisis.
On March 12, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a planned VAT increase of 0.5%, with another expected next year.
This comes on the back of a slowing job growth rate, which was recorded at just 2% in the first three quarters of 2024, a significant drop from 6.2% in 2023.
While the total workforce grew to a record high of 16.9 million people in the third quarter of 2024, the unemployment rate remained stubbornly high at 32.8%, well above the long-term average of 27.5%.
Experts predict that job creation will eventually improve, but this will depend heavily on the broader economic climate, which remains uncertain.
Municipal efforts and community impact
The false news about Veer Steel Mill has also raised concerns at the municipal level.
Local government officials in Ekurhuleni, which includes Alberton, are aware of the growing frustration within their communities.
In response to this incident, the municipality has promised to ramp up its communication efforts, ensuring that accurate information reaches job seekers and deterring the spread of false claims that only fuel disillusionment.
Authorities are also collaborating with national agencies to monitor the situation and take appropriate action against those who deliberately spread misleading information for personal gain.
Looking ahead
As South Africa grapples with its ongoing unemployment crisis, incidents like this underline the desperate need for more effective employment strategies and more transparent, reliable job-search platforms.
With youth unemployment at unsustainable levels, the economic future of many communities, especially in places like Alberton, remains uncertain.
While it is unclear what the immediate aftermath of this false job offer will be, the hope is that the lesson learned will lead to greater vigilance, both from local authorities and the public, in verifying employment opportunities before acting on them.
WATCH: Fake job post causes chaos in Alrode
