The City of Tshwane has issued a stern warning to the public, urging caution over fake job advertisements being shared on social media platforms. The City is considering legal action against individuals or groups responsible for distributing misleading content that falsely claims to represent municipal job openings.
This follows the recent circulation of a fraudulent job ad for a truck driver position, which falsely stated that the City of Tshwane was hiring individuals to operate specialized heavy machinery. The deceptive ad quickly gained traction across platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, prompting confusion and false hope among job seekers.
In response, Lindela Mashigo, the official spokesperson for the City of Tshwane, emphasized that the City does not advertise any employment opportunities on social media or instant messaging platforms.
“The public is warned that this advertisement is false and did not originate from the City of Tshwane,” said Mashigo. “The City does not advertise jobs through social media or messaging platforms. All legitimate job vacancies are published in official newspapers and on the City’s website.”
This policy is designed to maintain transparency and ensure that only verified employment information is accessible to the public. Any deviations from this process should be treated as suspicious and potentially fraudulent.
City of Tshwane Investigates Origins of the Scam
The City is currently working with its legal team and cybersecurity experts to trace the origins of the fraudulent post. Authorities are investigating whether this is part of a larger scam aimed at exploiting vulnerable South Africans seeking employment.
Scammers often target individuals desperate for work by offering fake positions that require payment for application processing, background checks, or training kits. The City has strongly reiterated that no payment is ever required to apply for municipal jobs.
“If anyone asks you for money in exchange for a job opportunity with the City, that is a red flag,” added Mashigo. “We are taking these matters seriously, and we are prepared to pursue legal action.”
With unemployment remaining high across the country, many job seekers have become easy targets for employment scams. False adverts often appear genuine and use official logos and language to seem credible.
One resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said he nearly applied for the advertised driver job before reading the fine print. “It looked so real. They even used the City’s name and said it was urgent. I’m glad I double-checked, but others might not be as lucky.”
Many citizens have called on the City of Tshwane to launch awareness campaigns across communities and schools to help people spot and report fake job listings.
The City of Tshwane has promised to tighten its digital security measures and improve public education around its employment procedures. Officials say they are also working closely with other government departments and social media platforms to report and remove such content quickly.
Legal experts note that those responsible for spreading such fake ads could face charges including fraud, impersonation of a public entity, and misrepresentation.
The City has urged victims or those who have encountered suspicious posts to report them to law enforcement or to the City’s official anti-fraud hotline.
To avoid falling prey to scams, the City advises job seekers to look out for the following:
- Verify the Source: All legitimate job openings are published on the City of Tshwane’s official website and in recognized newspapers.
- No Upfront Payments: The City never requires applicants to pay fees of any kind.
- Check Contact Details: Scammers often use vague or unprofessional contact information. Real listings include departmental contact numbers or emails with official .gov.za domains.
- Look for Typos and Formatting Issues: Many fake job posts are riddled with grammatical errors or inconsistent formatting.
- As online fraud becomes increasingly sophisticated, the City of Tshwane is urging its residents to remain vigilant. This incident serves as a wake-up call for citizens to question the authenticity of too-good-to-be-true job offers, especially when they are shared in unregulated digital spaces.
The City has emphasized that maintaining public trust is a top priority and has reassured residents that it will act swiftly and decisively against anyone attempting to damage its reputation or exploit job seekers.
“We are calling on everyone in the City to be our eyes and ears. If something feels wrong, report it. Together, we can put a stop to this,” Mashigo concluded.
Source- EWN
