SASSA warns public after fake recruitment post promising 200 clerical jobs circulates on social media

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has issued an urgent warning after a fraudulent recruitment advertisement began circulating widely on social media, including TikTok.

What the fake advert claimed

The post, which has been flagged as fraudulent, claimed SASSA was recruiting 200 Administration Clerk positions in 2026. It listed a closing date in June 2026, a start date of 1 July 2026 and a monthly salary of R12 000 at Level 3.

The advert set out the following applicant requirements: Grade 10 to 12 certificate, computer literacy, a driver’s licence and no prior experience. It directed job seekers to visit shoshanews.co.za or click a link in the account’s bio to access application forms.

SASSA response and why the post is suspicious

SASSA has confirmed that the information in the advert is false and does not come from the agency. The agency highlighted several red flags in the post:

• The advert directs applicants to a third-party website with no affiliation to SASSA or any official government department.
• Legitimate government vacancies are not advertised through personal TikTok accounts or unofficial websites.
• The promise of a salaried government position that requires no experience and is accessible through a social media bio link is characteristic of fraudulent recruitment posts designed to harvest personal information.

How to find real SASSA vacancies

SASSA advertises legitimate vacancies exclusively on its official website and in national newspapers. The agency’s official toll-free number is 0800 60 10 11.

SASSA says all genuine vacancy posts include a reference number, a specific post title, an official government email address and clear application instructions.

What the public should do

Members of the public who encounter this or similar fraudulent posts are urged not to share personal details, not to click unverified links, and to report the post directly to SASSA or to their nearest South African Police Service station.

The agency emphasised that SASSA services are always free and warned that any post asking for payment or personal information to apply for a government job is a scam.

Summary

SASSA has alerted the public to a fake recruitment advert promising 200 clerical posts and has provided guidance on how to verify legitimate vacancies and report scams.