Pretoria - With the alarming unemployment rate of 33.9%, according to Statistics SA’s report in August, it would seem that some unscrupulous criminals are taking advantage of the poor by selling them Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) jobs.
The EPWP was created by the government as one of its key programmes aimed at alleviating poverty and unemployment in the country.
The City of Tshwane has been made aware of people masquerading as government officials running a scam for recruiting desperate job-seekers into the municipal EPWP programme.
MMC for Social Development and Community Services Peggy de Bruin has warned unsuspecting members of the public to guard against falling for scams by people selling EPWP application forms and contracts of employment.
De Bruin emphasised that the sale of EPWP forms was fraudulent and warned the public not to fall prey to this type of criminality.
“EPWP falls under my department as the MMC for Social Development and Community Services. Therefore, I wish to make it unreservedly clear to job-seekers that application forms are not for sale as they are issued free of charge to applicants.
“Registration forms are available at the EPWP Division, Office G03, Ou Raadsaal Building, Church Square, Pretoria CBD. Registration is open on Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm. Residents can also access the forms at our regional customer care offices for free,” De Bruin said.
She said residents ought to take note of the fact that registration on the EPWP database remains open.
“Job-seekers must be between the ages of 18 and 60, and they should bring along a certified copy of their identity document and proof of residence, which must be attached to the registration form. Job-seekers are advised to be on the lookout for and not fall victim to job scams. Furthermore, we encourage residents to contact the City of Tshwane whenever they come across anyone selling EPWP application forms.”
The public can report this crime to the Tshwane fraud and corruption hotline: 080 874 9263.
Pretoria News