CAPE TOWN – Teachers in the Western Cape are being warned about a persistent scam that tricks educators into paying fees for fake teaching posts after fresh incidents were reported to the education department.

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) says several schools have recently reported incidents involving WhatsApp messages sent to teachers, despite the department issuing an alert about the scheme in December 2025.

How the scam works

The scam targets new, unemployed and substitute teachers through messages that appear to come from district officials or school principals. The fraudulent communications claim the recipient has been selected for a permanent teaching post and include names and photographs of real principals or officials to appear authentic.

Teachers are then instructed to report to a school with specific documentation or contact a “WCED official” using the scammer’s contact details. The messages request a “once-off fee” of approximately R2 800, allegedly required for the “authorisation of an appointment letter” at district offices.

Victims already affected

Some teachers have already fallen victim to the scam, arriving at schools after paying the fee only to discover no such post exists.

“This deception has caused significant distress to the affected individuals and has the potential to damage the reputations of schools, principals, and district officials who are being impersonated,” said Bronagh Hammond, director of communication at the WCED.

The department has urged all affected individuals to report incidents to the South African Police Service for investigation.

Official recruitment process

The WCED emphasised that permanent teaching posts are only advertised through its directorate of recruitment and selection, and that the department will never request payment for job applications or appointments.

The online e-recruitment system is the official platform for advertising and applying for posts, with unemployed educators required to register and apply through this system. Temporary appointments are managed directly by schools.

The department said suspicious activity must be reported immediately to the WCED and SAPS.

“We sincerely hope that no further individuals fall victim to this malicious scam, which not only undermines the reputation of our staff and institutions, but also shatters the aspirations of young professionals seeking meaningful employment opportunities in education,” Hammond said.

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