PUBLIC NOTICE

Thursday, 20 February 2025

BEWARE OF JOB AND TENDER SCAMS USING POLOKWANE MUNICIPALITY’S NAME

Polokwane Municipality strongly warns members of the public to be cautious of
fraudulent job and tender scams being circulated in the Municipality’s name.

Unsuspecting individuals and businesses are being targeted by scammers
impersonating municipal officials and making false promises regarding employment
opportunities and tender awards.

Tender scams

Fraudsters are contacting potential service providers, falsely claiming to represent
Polokwane Municipality and offering tender awards in exchange for payments. Names of
high-ranking officials, particularly directors and those in supply chain, are falsely used by
scammers to make their claims seem legitimate.

Please be advised that:

1. The municipality follows strict and transparent Supply Chain Management
processes when awarding tenders.

2. At no point does the Municipality demand payment from bidders to secure a tender.

3. Any request for payment in exchange for tender appointments is fraudulent and
should be reported immediately.

Job scams

Similarly, job seekers are receiving fraudulent SMS messages inviting them to interviews
and instructing them to contact a certain individual for further details. These scammers
make false promises and ask victims to deposit money to secure employment.

Be alert! You are being scammed if:

1. You receive an interview invitation via SMS. The municipality does not invite
candidates for interviews through SMS.

2. You are requested to call the sender back on their personal cellphone number. The
municipality does not communicate official job interview invitations via private
cellphone numbers.

3. You are required to make an upfront payment for an interview or job placement.
The municipality NEVER requests candidates to pay money in any form for
employment opportunities.

4. You are invited to an interview for a position you did not apply for. The municipality
does not offer jobs to individuals who have not submitted an application or
undergone the required recruitment process.

Remember: If you pay a bribe for a job or tender, you are also complicit in fraud and
corruption.

Members of the public are urged to stay vigilant and not fall prey to these scams. If you
receive any suspicious communication regarding jobs or tenders at Polokwane
Municipality, report it immediately to the South African Police Service (SAPS).

End!