Two workers lose jobs after almost falling for a scam

The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) dismissed two employees of Kusasa Lethu Primary School on the basis that they have resigned from their position as general workers at the Vosloorus based school.

However, the employees Mandla Dube (58) and Moses Nogqala (53) argue that their resignations letters were rejected by the GDE twice.

Dube insist they were targeted and scammed out of jobs by his wife who was supported by the principal, selected SGB members and a man named Mavuso who was paid R10 000 to ensure the pair lose their jobs.

It has been over a year since they lost their jobs.

The GDE spokesperson Steve Mabona confirmed that Dube and Nogqala are no longer employees of the department as they voluntarily tendered their resignations.

Mabona said the pair went to the District demanding to resign with immediate effect, producing an appointment letter from the City of Ekurhuleni dated February 21, 2013.

“The HR District official questioned the authenticity of the outdated appointment letter, advising them to go back and request valid appointment letters from the new employer before resigning from GDE,” he continued.

“Nonetheless, the former employees returned to the District in July, 2020, to submit their original exit documents. In return the pair were given pension claim forms to complete and were subsequently terminated,” said Mabona.

Background story

Nogqala said it all started on July 10, 2020, when he received a call from a man who deceived him into thinking he is Mavuso, the secretary of uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association.

He said they were promised jobs on the condition that they resign because the system detects that they are permanently employed.

Nogqala said they believed the man because they use to fill in forms for job seekers from the MKMVA organisation during meetings.

The pair attempted to resign twice but according to Nogqala their resigning letters were rejected on both occasions.

“At first we asked the principal for resignation letters and we explained that we received a call about a good job opportunity that we would like to take up.

“She gave us the letters which we signed, she then said we have to submit the letters to the district. When we got to the district, where the HR rejected our resignation,” said Nogqala.

“A lady from the HR at the GDoBE realised that it was a scam, and advised us to get appointment letters first.

“We called Mavuso to request appointment letters and he agreed to send them. He kept questioning why the letters were rejected while emphasising that the department does not have control over when you choose to resign,” said Nogqala.

He said the principal and some SGB members kept telling him to stay away from Dube to avoid risking losing his job.

According to Dube, they continued working at the school until they received the appointment letters and tried to resign again.

The resignation letters were rejected again and they had to return to work at the school.

“When we showed the principal the appointment letter she said they were fine, but HR realised that the letters did not have a logo of the CoE,” said Dube.

He said HR advised them not to resign and told them it will be difficult for them to find work at their age.

“We went back to the principal to apologise, and we were also requested to write an apology letter to her as well as the department.

“We went back to work, but then we were not paid our salaries for August. When we inquired with the principal, she said we have resigned.

“She saw us reporting to work every day but she never made an effort to mention this. What puzzled me was that the department did not formally acknowledge our resignation because it was not accepted.”

Dube said this made them realise that this was a scam.

“We reported a case at Vosloorus SAPS. The principal then agreed to let us return to work over the phone, only for her to chase us away when we reported for work,” Dube continued.

“Right now we are unemployed, we have children, and we have families that we have to support,” he said.

Dube painted himself as the target, he said his friend was collateral damage.

He said in the SMS he received from Mavuso, it was suggested that Dube’s wife wanted him to lose his job so that she can cash in the pension pay-out of R250 000.

“In the same SMS he confirmed being paid R10 000 to make me lose my job,” he said.

Nogqala and Dube said they just want to return to work.

Response by the Vosloorus SAPS

When Kathorus MAIL followed up on the case, the Vosloorus SAPS media liaison officer Cst Nompumelelo Nhlapo said the case was investigated by Cst Nkosi.

She said upon investigating the case on November 17, 2020, the detective found that the case was undetected as it was not a criminal in nature.

“The police have done their part as the docket was opened and investigated. The principal’s response notes that she is not allowed to share any information about the dismissal of the two complainants,” said Nhlapo.

When Dube and Nogqala went to the Government Employee Pension Fund to claim, they were told they are still employed.

Nogqala told Kathorus MAIL that he recently formally resigned because he needed money and the school stopped their pay.

Dube said he might also be forced to resign because of financial challenges.