Teachers in KwaZulu-Natal have been urged to follow proper employment channels after an alleged fraudster, known as Amahle Nene-Sishi, was accused of scamming job seekers by promising teaching positions in exchange for money. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has distanced itself from Nene-Sishi and strongly condemned her actions, noting that she falsely claimed to have the authority to offer teaching posts within the department.
Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said the department was deeply concerned about the allegations and emphasized that the fraudulent activities were meant to exploit desperate job seekers. Nene-Sishi reportedly used photos taken with senior officials, including the MEC for Education in KwaZulu-Natal, Sipho Hlomuka, to mislead victims into believing she could secure them jobs. Hlomuka has made it clear that neither he nor any department officials are connected to these criminal activities, urging those who have been scammed to come forward and report the incidents to law enforcement.
The department reaffirmed its commitment to fair and transparent recruitment practices, warning the public to be cautious of fraudulent schemes. All official employment opportunities within the department are processed through reputable communication channels, including the department’s website, social media, and media outlets. Job seekers are advised to verify opportunities directly with the department through official platforms to avoid falling victim to scams.
The scam has raised concern among teachers, especially new graduates desperate for work. One teacher shared their warning about the fraudster, who allegedly claimed to be a department head at a school in Durban, a business studies advisor, or an employee at Truro House. Victims were told to pay large sums of money in exchange for promised job placements that never materialized. Many teachers have since spoken out, urging their colleagues not to pay for jobs and to apply through legitimate channels instead.
Thirona Moodley, CEO of the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa) in KZN, condemned the practice of fraudulent appointments, noting that they result in incompetent or unqualified teachers being placed in classrooms, ultimately affecting the quality of education. She called on law enforcement to prosecute Nene-Sishi to deter similar schemes.
Dr. Doctor Ngema, general secretary of the National Teachers Union (Natu), also condemned the fraudulent activities, warning that job seekers should never pay for teaching posts. He stressed that all teacher appointments should be made through official channels and that unemployed teachers should apply for vacancies when they are advertised in open bulletin boards.
The department is currently processing teacher appointments for positions published last year, and job seekers are encouraged to report any fraudulent activity to law enforcement. If department officials are found to be involved in these schemes, they too should be investigated.
