Scam over SANDF revealed
- Published on 29 Jun 2017
- HR Pulse News Desk
Approximately 300 young people have been crammed inside a house in Karen Park not far from the Wonder Park mall, north of Pretoria after being scammed by a man claiming to be in the SA National Defence Force (SANDF). The man, known as "General", recruited young people from all across the country promising them that, for a fee, they would be absorbed into the SANDF.
The victims, most of whom are below the age of 30, were recruited mostly from KwaZulu-Natal. They reportedly paid R300 for their registration, R1800 for training, as well as R200 per month since last year for lodging. They claim to have been trained as military war veterans under Amabutho Royal Defence in order to be integrated in the SANDF.
According to some of the people who have been at the house for more than five months, the living conditions have been horrible. "We have been paying a monthly fee for food and accommodation. But we are living in squalor. Both boys and girls share rooms and accommodation," said one of the scammed recruits.
About 22 social workers and social auxiliary workers, assisted by the Akasia Police and the local community policing forum, as well as members of the community rescued the youth and provided them with food. They were all taken to the Salvation Army in Akasia for accommodation last night and will be repatriated to their homes today. The Military Police and the Gauteng Provincial Government confirmed they were investigating a case of suspected "human trafficking". The Department of Social Development on Tuesday dispatched a team of social workers to the scene to assist with food and transportation of all victims back to their homes.
Source: SAnews.gov.za
