LIMPOPO – Rasila explained: “Someone pretending to work for the department is offering people jobs as examination assistants in return for a small fee.”
“The scammer notifies applicants that their applications have been successful and that they will receive their uniforms when they start working. The scammer charges the applicants R300 for a medical certificate, R550 for accommodation and R400 for their uniform. Six people have contacted the department regarding their appointment only to find they have been deceived. People must understand the department will never ask people to pay for a job,” Rasila said.
He added that applicants for the temporary positions advertised by the department will be contacted towards the end of the year. He said there had been several areas where people reported the scam.
The latest victim of the scam is from Botlokwa. According to the victim, the scammer requests that the victim makes a once-off payment, in which case a PIN number is sent to their cell phone and they withdraw the money from an ATM. They therefore do not need to disclose their bank details. The matter has since been reported to the Risk Directorate of the department,” Rasila said.
Another victim told BONUS she paid over R1 200 to the woman on the phone and was promised a job in return. She was told that she would hear from the woman again in a week but this never happened. “I called the department and asked to speak to someone in recruitment as I was told to do so if I had any questions only to find there was no such department. I was told I was just one of several people who fell victim to a scam,” she continued.
She has since opened a case at the Polokwane Police Station and the case is under investigation. Polokwane Police Spokesperson, WO Lesiba Ramoshaba could not confirm at the time of publishing that the case had been opened.
Rasila said everyone should take note that under no circumstances will the department charge people money for a job application.
He urged people being contacted by the scammers to report the matter to the department and have it investigated immediately.
