Residents warned against fake bursary and job adverts

The Gauteng Department of Health has warned members of the community about the emergence of fake job, internship and bursary advertisements.

These advertisements are said to be aimed at exploiting the desperate socio-economic conditions of many people who are in the jobmarket.

In the latest scam, a dubious text message was send to a number of people inviting them to an “interview” at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria.

“When applicants are shortlisted for interview in the department they receive a formal invitation letter to an interview not through a text message,” the department said in a statement.

In another fictitious advert which has been circulating nationally on social media platforms unsuspecting people are invited to apply for SA Nurse internships and job opportunities by submitting their details to a bogus online portal.

The Department advertises vacancies and bursaries through official platforms, such as the Gauteng Online portal, Department of Public Service and Administration circular which is published on the DPSA website, official departmental social media platforms and mainstream newspapers.

Furthermore, employment applications are not faxed, rather they are either sent via post, emailed, or dropped-off physically at a designated hospital, clinic or any of the facilities in their original form for verification.

The department also warns the public that some of these fake job and bursary advertisements, ask applicants to pay an amount of money in exchange foremployment.

If applicants are requested money in exchange for employment, they should urgently report the matter to the police.

Money is not required to apply for jobs and bursaries in the public service.

The Gauteng Department of Health pleads with community members to always be cautious and verify job and bursary advertisements that are circulated on social media platforms against those posted on the above-mentioned official sites.