MUNICIPAL worker bust for corruption.
The 41-year-old general assistant at Knysna Municipality allegedly took money from jobseekers with false promises of employment, pocketing R37 500 between 2019 and 2021.
Hawks spokeswoman Zinzi Hani, said the worker was arrested on Wednesday, 4 June, by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team based in George.
He is expected to appear in court on Thursday, 5 June.
“It is alleged the suspect was paid R37 500 between September 2019 and November 2021 by two members of the public in exchange for employment at the Knysna Municipality.
“One victim paid R30 000 and the other paid R7 500. Unfortunately, neither received the jobs they were promised. The suspect’s action led to financial loss for the victims without delivering any employment,” said Hani.
This case adds to the growing number of scams preying on desperate jobseekers in South Africa, where unemployment remains high.
Earlier this year, the Western Cape Department of Mobility issued a public warning following reports of fraudulent activity involving the Gene Louw Traffic Training College.
Scammers pretended to represent the college, demanding R150 for registration forms and R3 000 for enrolment.
“These scammers operate mainly on social media, luring hopeful applicants with fake promises,” said Western Cape Mobility Minister, Isaac Sileku.
In late 2024 and early 2025, several individuals arrived at the college under the impression they had been accepted into a training programme, only to realise they had been misled.
The department has since opened a fraud case.
Authorities urged the public to remain cautious and avoid making payments for job opportunities.
