Johannesburg – The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has warned job seekers against the fake adverts regarding in the jobs municipality.

This follows a recent advert where 46 prospective employees were being sought to do administrative duties or work at a call centre.

Council spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini said the posts do not exist adding that the metro takes the matter seriously.

“It was brought to the attention of our Human Resource Management and Development Department [HRM&D] that the so-called job advertisements had been placed on notice boards inviting people to apply for positions within the municipality,” said Mr Dlamini.

In the advert, candidates were promised training if they were successful but they had to first deposit money into a particular bank account.

“In addition letters were sent to successful applicants saying that they have been appointed and that training will take place, at a cost and unsuspecting ‘new employees’ were told to pay a deposit of R80 for administration and software expenses.”

He said it is clear that there are people who are not only determined to undermine the reputation of the metro but also taking advantage of vulnerable and desperate unemployed people.

Mr Dlamini said the advertisement as well as the appointment letter to the “new employees”, were printed on a fake official letterhead and said to be endorsed by the HRM&D.

“Council distances itself from the advertisement and the letters of appointment which do not even comply with Ekurhuleni standards.

“We do not use any fax facility to invite applications and no fees are charged to applicants, candidates or appointees for any recruitment and selection process,” said Mr Dlamini.

He further explained that the official letter of appointment is issued to the successful candidate only after interviews were conducted with all applicants.

Only then a proper liaison with the successful candidate will take place through the relevant human resource office, he explained.

Mr Dlamini advised desperate jobseekers to always contact the Metro’s HRM&D office for clarification on any job advertisement by the municipality.

The department can be reached at (011) 871-7728 or (011) 741-2419 or (011) 921-2959 or (011) 820 -4055. - BuaNews