LIMPOPO – As the rate of unemployment continue to rise in the country, there are individuals who are taking advantage of the situation by swindling desperate job seekers. Former Letaba Estate Clerk, Arnold Mhelembe was on 18 May 2022 convicted by the Tzaneen Regional court for scamming job seekers.

Between February and June 2018, Mhelembe who was employed as an administration clerk at Letaba Estate approached stranded job seekers from his own village called Petanenge and promised them employment. They were requested to pay an amount of R700 upfront each in order to secure employment as seasonal workers at Letaba Estate.

After paying money, they waited for employment until they ran out of patience and reported the matter to the authorities. The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation members conducted a thorough investigation that resulted in the arrest of Mhelembe in July 2018 and he was later released on bail.

Mhelembe was convicted on 8 counts of corruption and his case was postponed to 31 May 2022 for sentencing.

Source: South African Police Service