The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has reissued a warning to teachers after several incidents in which unemployed and substitute teachers were targeted by fraudulent WhatsApp messages demanding payment for fake posts.
How the scam works
According to WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond, the scam involves messages that appear to come from school principals or district officials and state that the recipient is the preferred candidate for a permanent teaching post. To lend credibility, the messages often include the real name and photo of the official they are impersonating.
“Some teachers have fallen victim to this scam, arriving at schools having paid the so-called ‘authorisation fee,’ only to discover that no such post exists,” Hammond said.
Those targeted are instructed to report to a school with documentation or to contact a purported official, and to pay a "once-off fee" — typically about R2 800 — and supply banking details to receive an "appointment letter."
Official recruitment process and advice
The WCED emphasised that the province’s E-Recruitment System is the only official platform for advertising and applying for posts. Unemployed teachers must register on that system to apply for vacancies. Hammond reiterated that the WCED, including Head Office, district offices and schools, never requests payment for applications or appointments.
- Do not pay any fee to secure an appointment or application.
- Verify advertised posts through the WCED E-Recruitment System.
- If you are asked to pay, report the incident to the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Hammond also warned that schools manage temporary appointments directly, so applicants should verify the legitimacy of any notification about such posts.
Impact on teachers and schools
Hammond said the deception has caused significant distress for victims and could damage the reputations of schools, principals and district officials who are impersonated. Several schools have recently reported incidents of teachers receiving fraudulent messages.
The department first alerted teachers to this scheme in December 2025 and has now reissued the warning following new reports. The reissue aims to protect teacher wellbeing and safeguard the integrity of recruitment processes across the province.
What to do if you are targeted
The WCED encouraged anyone affected by the scams to file a report with SAPS so an official investigation can proceed. The department said it remains committed to preventing such schemes from undermining trust in recruitment and to supporting victims.
| Issue | Official position |
|---|---|
| Payment requests for posts | Never requested by WCED |
| Where to apply | WCED E-Recruitment System |
| Reporting fraud | File a report with SAPS |
The warning is practical advice for those seeking work in education in the Western Cape, where competition for permanent posts is high. Teachers who are unsure about a message's authenticity should contact the named school or district office directly using contact details on official WCED channels rather than responding to links or numbers in unsolicited messages.
As the WCED stresses, verifying vacancies on the E-Recruitment System and refusing to pay any fee are the clearest safeguards against this scam. Reporting incidents to SAPS helps protect other applicants and allows authorities to pursue those responsible for impersonation and fraud.
For now, the department's reissued alert is a reminder that digital convenience brings new risks, and that jobseekers must remain cautious when approached through social media and messaging apps.
