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A would-be scammer from Welkom in the Free State has been remanded in custody while the investigation continues into her alleged fraudulent activity to swindle jobseekers’ money for self-enrichment. The suspect, Liabeng Icnatia Hoffman (45), appeared briefly in the Welkom Magistrates’ Court, yesterday - Monday, 12 March.
The case was postponed to 19 March as part of the investigation. The Welkom Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team pounced on Hoffman on Friday, 8 March, acting swiftly upon receiving reliable information.
Col Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said Hoffman is charged with corruption after a failed attempt to defraud an aspirant 20-year-old jobseeker of R10 000. He said preliminary findings revealed the woman used a job advertisement of the Matjhabeng Local Municipality’s as the modus operandi to try defrauding the individual.
“In February 2024, the Matjhabeng Local Municipality invited the public to apply for vacancies as trainee traffic officers. A 20-year-old job seeker was ecstatic when she received a call from a woman who confirmed a receipt of her application. The caller promised to appoint her on condition that she pay R10 000,” said Mohobeleli.
He said the matter was reported to the Welkom Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team.
“On 8 March, at about 8:00 when the suspect thought it was her time to collect the R10 000, she found the detectives waiting. She was immediately arrested. It has been verified that the suspect is not an employee of the municipality,” said Mohobeleli.
