Messages that one of the victims of the scam received. Picture: Western Cape government.
The Western Cape Mobility Department has sounded the alarm over a scam that asks people to pay money to register at the Gene Louw Traffic College in Brackenfell.
“Unscrupulous scammers, operating via social media, falsely claim to represent the college and request payments of R150 for registration forms and a further R3 000 for enrolment,” the department said in a statement.
Several people, believing they had secured training opportunities, arrived at the college towards the end of 2024 and early this month, only to find that they had been deceived, the statement said.
“A case of fraud has been opened, and the department is working with law enforcement agencies.”
Gene Louw Traffic Training College said no payments were required to secure admission, and it would not communicate through social media about recruitment or training opportunities.
“We are disheartened by these fraudulent activities that exploit the aspirations of prospective traffic officers… We remind everyone that admission to the college does not require any form of payment. Please verify all information through official channels to avoid falling victim to these scams,” said Jacqueline Tweedie, the head of the college.
Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity.
Steps to becoming a traffic officer in the Western Cape:
• Posts for traffic officers are officially advertised by the Western Cape Mobility Department in newspapers and on the Western Cape government website.
• A traffic officer qualification is not a prerequisite when applying for advertised posts.
• Applications are reviewed and successful candidates are invited for recruitment processes.
• Only those who pass the recruitment process are admitted to training for a traffic officer qualification.