While illegal mining evidently is rife and has resulted in the deaths of many people locally, another crime trend within the mining industry has emerged where mining officials are said to be soliciting money from people in exchange for jobs that do not exist.
These allegations were made by Industrial Relationships Security Manager Dean Miller from Jonrik Mining and Engineering, who actively has been investigating cases of this nature and says that the problem is bigger than what meets the eye.
According to him, people are made to pay between R3 000 and as high as R15 000 for jobs that do not even exist.
He says that this is happening in mines across the West Rand including Westonaria.
“During my investigations into numerous cases of this nature, I came to realise that people in desperate situations and in need for jobs are being taken advantage of and made to pay exorbitant amounts to secure job opportunities.
“It is sad to see that those who do not have the funds often resort to securing loans and even committing crimes to secure the money to pay for jobs.
“I wish to notify them that in the mining industry, we don’t require that one pays a certain amount in order to obtain a job.
“Once one is asked to do this, they should know that it’s a scam and immediately report that person to mining management,” says Miller who adds that if it sounds too good to be true then it usually is.
He adds that mining companies have a stringent procedure where people have to apply for jobs and can only secure an interview if they are found to be suitable candidates by the company’s human resources personnel.
It is only then that they will be asked to come in for an interview.
Should they be successful, they will be sent in for a security and medical check.
