The Department of Health has warned job seekers hoping to be employed in public hospitals and clinics to be aware of scams.
Some job applicants have been approached by scammers who pose as government officials. The scammers then offer applicants blank employment contracts.
Department spokesperson, Kwara Kekana said many hopefuls fall for the scam because it looks real and convincing.
“Applicants are deceived into believing that the syndicate member is an official of the department and the contract is genuine. The syndicate uses this to their advantage and requests R2 500 prior to issuing the contract,” Kekana said.
The Governance Risk and Compliance Directorate of the department have been able to track down the bank account used as part of the scam. The account has since been shut down.
“However, it needs further information to open a police case and bring those behind the scam to book.”
Kekana said the department only advertises job vacancies through departmental websites such as the Department of Health website and national newspapers.
The public can report suspicious or fake job offers to the Gauteng Provincial Government Public Liaison Hotline 08600 11 000.
Job scams have been on the rise since the Covid-19 lockdown. According to Stats SA, 2.2 million jobs were lost in the second quarter of the year.
Old Mutual Chief Economist, Johann Els predicted that the numbers would get worse over time as the Covid-19 support packages from the government fall away. Els mentioned how people in South Africa have lost faith in the country’s economy.
“The employment numbers have always been difficult...You need the economy to grow to generate jobs but you also need jobs to help the economy in terms of tax payment”
He said South Africa will eventually see gradual growth and improvement, but the country needs better economic and employment policies.
“We’ll see better numbers but it’ll take a long time to the levels we had before the Covid crisis”