BY STAFF REPORTER
Thapelo Mhlongo has been struggling to get employment.
The 37 year old from Belfast who has been applying for employment for 10 years did not waste time when he saw a vacant post at a mine in Ermelo.
“I saw the advert on facebook nd I called the number. However the guy I spoke to told me to pay R6000 so that he can put my name on top of the list of people to be interviewed for the position. Unfortunately I did not have the amount,” Mhlongo said.
Mhlongo is one of many people who find themselves in the hands of scammers.
The Mpumalanga health department has also been hit by scammers posing as Human Resources (HR) officials promising unsuspecting members of the community jobs at a hospital in Mbombela for cash.
The scammers have designed fake advertisements enticing the public to apply for employment at the Rob Ferreira hospital.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, MEC Sasekani Manzini warned the public to be carefull of individuals named Mr Ndlovu and Maphanga posing as directors of HR department using the number 063 765 5816.
“We can confirm that the two are not employed by the department of health or Rob Ferreira hospital,” Manzini said.
She said the scammers usually use names of their officials, health facilities and letterheads when posting the false information on social media to lure potential victims.
“The department of health uses well known print media, government facilities, official social media platform and radio stations to advertise vacant posts.
The public must know that all our vacant positions are advertised, followed by a selection process of which interviews are conducted to find a suitable candidate for the position. Therefore, if anyone calls to offer you a job in exchange for money, report them to the police with immediate effect,” Manzini said.
