Pretoria - The Gauteng Department of Finance (GDF) has launched an investigation into an employment scam involving a company called "Efillis Government Recruiters".
The department has warned Gauteng residents of the scam by the company, which is claiming to be the department's "in-house recruitment agency".
According to GDF, the company is asking people to deposit a R300 "registration and admin fee" into a bank account before they can collect their employment contracts at the GDF offices, which it says is located at "70, Fox Street", Marshalltown in Johannesburg.
The department was informed of the scam by people who saw the advert on the website www.gumtree.co.za. The advert says the department is looking for a receptionist and the salary offered is R8 400 a month.
The department said it was taking the matter very seriously and has launched an investigation through the provincial government's Forensic Services Unit to determine the origins of the advert and who is behind its distribution.
The GDF urged anyone with information to contact the department and assist with the investigation.
"The GDF is, amongst other things, responsible for recruitment for the entire Gauteng Provincial Government. Therefore, we would like to emphasise that at no stage will any government department request candidates to make payments to secure positions in the public service, nor will any position be offered unless all recruitment procedures, including shortlisting and interviews, have been conducted," the department explained.
It added that it did not advertise employment opportunities on websites such as Gumtree, nor did it use employment agencies for this purpose.
The GDF uses the mainstream media, government vacancy circular of the Department of Public Service and Administration, and www.professionaljobcentre.gov.za to advertise employment opportunities offered by the provincial government.
"All prospective job seekers are urged to be on the lookout for employment opportunities in these information platforms and apply to start an exciting career in public service," it said.
