ERMELO – The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) in the Bethal Management Area has issued a warning about a growing number of scams targeting job seekers.

According to Siphiwe Mahlangu, communications manager in Bethal, fraudsters promise non-existent jobs and falsely claim to be DCS staff.

The scammers are said to be active in Bethal, Ermelo, Standerton, Volksrust, and Piet Retief.

DCS emphasises that all job applications are free and that payment requests are illegal. “Anyone with information on fraudulent activity is encouraged to report it to the nearest police station or DCS office,” Mahlangu said.

Legitimate vacancies are advertised only through official media, the DCS website, and internal DPSA notices. There are no contracts with recruitment agents or social media platforms.

Read the full report and official responses in this week’s print edition of the Highvelder.