Pretoria – South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has warned the public about a fraudulent notice circulating on social media that falsely claims to offer cash rewards for handing over undocumented foreign nationals to authorities.
The fake flyer, which has been spreading widely, presents itself as an official government communication and offers R250 per undocumented person brought to the Department of Home Affairs office in Boksburg, East Rand.
The flyer lists a physical address at 9 North Rand Road, Boksburg CBD, operating hours from Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 16:00, and Saturdays from 08:00 to 13:00, along with a contact number of (011) 894 0000.
The department moved quickly to distance itself from the notice.
“The notice currently circulating is fraudulent and did not originate from the Department of Home Affairs. Neither the Department nor the Minister of Home Affairs offers monetary rewards to members of the public for reporting undocumented foreign nationals,” the department said.
The warning carries particular relevance for Eswatini, where many citizens live and work across the border in South Africa and could be affected by the kind of vigilante behaviour such a notice may encourage.
The department called on members of the public to check information through official channels before sharing it. “Let us all play our part in promoting accurate information, responsible engagement, and respect for the rule of law,” it added.
Official updates from the department are available through its verified communication platforms.
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