Cash for jobs accused gets bail

Victims paid R1,000 to secure jobs as clerks, receptionists or drivers in the Department of Agriculture, police say

BERTINAH Mabatamela, 53, who is accused of having defrauded job-seekers in Lebowakgomo, appeared in the Thabamoopo Magistrate's Court yesterday.

The case was postponed to April 11 and she has been granted bail of R3,000.

Limpopo police spokesman Lieutenant-C olonel Mohale Ramatseba said the victims were made to pay R1,000 to secure jobs as clerks, receptionists or drivers in the department of agriculture in Lebowakgomo.

"Eleven job-seekers were reportedly tricked by the suspect since November 2011. The woman was robbing people of their money and pretending to be working in the department of agriculture," said Ramatseba.

Police asked people who might have been defrauded by the woman or any other person to report the matter to the police or contact Warrant Officer Rendani Phillip Makhani of the anti-corruption unit in Lebowakgomo on 082-565-7842 or 076-478-8660.