Thousands of Tshwane jobless left disappointed after fake SMS

A fake SMS promising city residents jobs resulted in over 4 000 people showing up yesterday at the Akasia Community Hall, north of Pretoria, with the hope of being employed by the end of the day.

Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga was also at the centre, but to conduct an extended public works programme (EPWP) lottery and select more beneficiaries for work opportunities in various projects across the city. The lottery will select 1 250 beneficiaries who are all registered with the EPWP.

Thousands of people from all over Tshwane are seen outside the Akasia Community Hall after recieving an sms to attend an EPWP lottery, 8 May 2018, Pretoria. Picture: Jacques Nelles

Msimanga said they only sent an SMS to people who were registered, but did not say people must come to the hall.

“We called on councillors to come and see that the system was not rigged in any way as part of our transparency. But there was this SMS that was sent out to people afterwards to get transport and come here to get employed.

“Unfortunately, we only have 1 250 work opportunities plus eight wards that are now doing project-based employment. We are looking at 1 300 jobs in total,” Msimanga said.

People from all over Tshwane – including Soshanguve, GaRankuwa and Mabopane – arrived in private and public transport from early yesterday morning and by 3pm more people were still arriving at the venue.

Some of the thousands of people from all over Tshwane that recieved an sms to attend an EPWP lottery are seen protesting outside the Akasia Community Hall after the mayor left, 8 May 2018, Pretoria. Picture: Jacques Nelles

One women said they received an SMS yesterday that they should be present at the Akasia Community Hall to receive a job.

“It said only if you are present will you be awarded a contract,” she said.

Mayoral spokesperson Sam Mgobozi said the fake SMS was “disgusting”.

“How can any political party abuse their people in such a way, ignoring their feelings and emotions. It is one thing to use people for protest actions, but it is another thing falsely promising them employment, even if you hate the DA,” Mgobozi said, implying the SMS was sent by the opposition.

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