The Mangaung Metro Municipality says job scams are rampant, occurring almost every week. Fraudulent job advertisements, often trending on social media, falsely claim to offer various vacancies within the municipality.

It has warned the public to be cautious of individuals posing as municipal employees and extorting money from desperate job seekers.

The Metro says last year, two suspected scammers were arrested.

It has warned that vacancies are advertised on the website or external publications.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has urged the public to report people impersonating government representatives or private company agents to solicit money in exchange for jobs. https://t.co/jNwal0ZxfB

— SABC News (@SABCNews) January 17, 2026

In a country crippled by unemployment, desperation has become a weapon in the hands of scammers. Across the Mangaung Metro, fake job advertisements are spreading rapidly.

Scammers masquerade as municipal officials, targeting vulnerable job seekers and siphoning money from those desperate for employment.

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Applicants are contacted and instructed to pay fees for medical examinations or other administrative costs, before coming for interviews or induction.

Mangaung Metro City Manager, Sello More says they have conducted internal investigations and some cases have been handed over the police.

“There will be names of people and contacts so normally we hand over that information to the police to make follow-ups. I think last year there were two arrest that were made by the police in relation to that. Those people are blatant. Some of them even come near our offices to portray themselves as officials so it’s very rife,” says More.

People often desperate and vulnerable fall for the trap. Some members of the public say they are aware of the daily scams.

“The desperation of the youth and lack of employment is causing people to be scammed. The municipality of Mangaung doesn’t have a website where they advertise their jobs. All you see is jobs trending and that Mangaung is hiring and the closing date will be within two or three days but we don’t even see the people who are hired or it is old people. It is a big problem in south Africa,” says a victim.

“I have experienced the same thing. I was called to go to Moroka hospital to meet someone and told I should pay before going in for an interview. I posted this on social media only to find that I’m not alone . These people take advantage because we are submitting CVs everywhere and they know we want jobs,” says another victim.

WATCH | ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula says youth unemployment remains the single greatest structural crisis. He adds that rising hunger is also disproportionately affecting young people. pic.twitter.com/YFNsdvUSEz

— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 8, 2025

Verify job advertisements

The Mangaung Metro has warned the public to verify job advertisements. More says the scams are worse when positions which have vacancies are advertised.

“You must look for an official telephone number or at least an official email because sometimes what they do is that the response will say pule @gmail.com and they will use a 076 number, so you must verify it. It must atleast be a 051 number. In most instances there will be an email correspondence to confirm the address. It will be followed by an informing call. So immediately when you get someone saying they work for the municipality remember that there is no one who appoints. Only the City Manager appoints people,” adds More.

The Metro has also encouraged victims to open a case with the police.

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