Facebook posts alleging that South Africa’s Department of Health is hiring property caretakers are false. The department urges job seekers to consult only its official recruitment channels.
Posts circulating on Facebook claim that the Department of Health is advertising property caretaker positions.
The fabricated listings promise annual salaries ranging from R138,486 to R161,131 (approximately US$8,540 to US$9,937), along with benefits.
The ads state that applicants need only an ABET Level 3 or Grade 10 qualification and provide a link for supposed applications.
Other versions of the claim have also been posted here, here, here and here.
Africa Check has previously exposed similar scams that falsely used the health department’s name, and this claim follows the same pattern.
Signs of a scam
The advertisements display several warning signs we have seen in past scams, including inconsistent closing dates and varying application links.
No such vacancy appears on the department’s official website or its verified social media channels, which is a major red flag.
The health department has repeatedly advised, in past debunkings, that applicants should rely only on its official recruitment portals.
Before sharing or applying: Verify the information on official government websites. Consult the public service vacancy circular. Never provide personal or banking details to unverified sources. Sharing unverified information aids scammers; always fact‑check before you share.
Tips for fact‑checking scams
Fraudulent job offers are increasingly appearing on social media. Below are key points to watch for:
- Obvious errors: Online job opportunities with many spelling and grammatical errors should not be trusted. Opportunities from legitimate government departments are most likely to be free of these errors.
- The attached link: Most job scams include links to sites where those interested can supposedly apply. If these links don’t take you to the department’s verified website, be wary.
- Official social media pages: Check the department’s official website or social media pages to confirm whether the opportunity is legit.
Similar false job posts have appeared on Facebook here, here, here and here.