VANDERBIJLPARK – When unemployed Matshidiso Dlamini (not her real name) received a circular with vacancies at the Emfuleni Local Municipality she was overjoyed because she qualified.
But her hopes were dashed after it later emerged that the circular she received was a hoax – it was part of a syndicate operating a cash-for-jobs scam at the municipality.
Matshidiso and dozens of other victims found out about the hoax after they arrived at the municipality’s offices in Vanderbijlpark only to be informed that there were no jobs.
In a municipality with an unemployment rate of 34.7% and a youth unemployment rate of 45.5%, hearts are broken every time con men strike.
A group of young people stood at the entrance of the municipality with their documents ready to fill out applications, however, their joy was turned into sadness.
“I suspected something was wrong when I arrived at the municipality and a lot of people were turning back,” said one victim.
In a statement, ELM spokesperson Makhosonke Sangweni warned the public of scammers that are making use of a leaked circular document to deceive unsuspecting job seekers into paying for non-existent jobs.
“The municipality has not advertised the circular under discussion yet, and when it does, the vacancies will be advertised through the Emfuleni Local Municipality’s (ELM) website as well as recognised national and local media platforms,” he said.
Sangweni said ELM would like to put it on record once more that municipal jobs are not for sale.
“The municipality would not demand or request money for any recruitment purposes including the administration and processing of forms. The municipality follows a fair and transparent recruitment process. Municipal officials and anyone who requests money for jobs must be reported to the nearest police station,” he warned.
