The eThekwini Municipality has warned members of the public that Metro Police jobs are not for sale following allegations that an official collected hundreds of thousands of rands from people who were allegedly promised employment.
An investigative report found that 71 people were allegedly defrauded in connection with the recruitment scam.
The allegations form part of a broader investigation into claims of a R20-million law enforcement recruitment scam, which was first flagged in 2019. The allegations prompted the municipality’s internal investigations unit to commission a probe.
A second investigation, completed in June 2026, was unable to substantiate the alleged R20-million corruption. However, it found that a junior Metro Police officer had allegedly received R420,000 from members of the public.
Metro Police Commissioner Sibonelo Mchunu said the officer was not involved in the official recruitment process.
“He was just a worker working at the park, monitoring the process and scamming people outside,” Mchunu said.
The officer joined the Metro Police in 2024 and has since been subjected to both disciplinary and criminal proceedings.
The municipality has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity involving individuals claiming they can secure Metro Police jobs in exchange for money.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) staged a protest outside the municipality, calling for lifestyle audits of Metro Police officers and senior municipal officials.
The party has raised concerns about alleged corruption and called for greater transparency within the municipality’s law enforcement structures.
The City has committed to releasing the findings of the Metro Police investigation once all disciplinary processes have been concluded.