What happens when the very people meant to uphold justice get caught breaking the rules?
That’s the unsettling question South Africans are grappling with after a former district court prosecutor found herself on the wrong side of the law.
Bail on Hold for Former Prosecutor and Co-Accused
Former Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court prosecutor, Siphokazi Magangana, and her co-accused, Yandisa Jam Jam, made a brief appearance in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
The pair are currently behind bars, waiting for their bail application to be heard on Friday, June 20.
They’re facing serious allegations involving corruption and money laundering, and for now, the court has opted to keep them in custody due to the gravity of the charges and the ongoing investigation.
Fake Jobs, Real Money — The Scam That Sparked It All
The charges stem from a shady recruitment scheme dating back to August 2022.
Magangana is accused of targeting three job seekers, offering them permanent prosecutor positions—without any formal process or interviews—in exchange for R10,000 each.
Instead of going through the usual recruitment channels, the hopefuls were reportedly instructed to transfer the money directly into Jam Jam’s bank account.
But the promised jobs never materialized.
Disappointed and defrauded, the victims eventually came forward almost a year later.
NPA Cracks Down After Internal Probe
Once the complaints surfaced, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) launched an internal investigation.
It didn’t take long for the authority to recommend criminal charges and disciplinary action against Magangana.
This case has sparked widespread attention, not just because of the amount of money involved, but because a trusted legal official allegedly abused her position to exploit job seekers.
Public Warned Against Employment Scams
Reacting to the scandal, NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane reminded the public to stay alert and not fall victim to job scams.
“We want to warn the public not to fall prey to false promises,” she said.
“The NPA does not require any payment for employment.Our recruitment processes are official, transparent, and advertised publicly.”
All Eyes on Friday’s Court Decision
Magangana and Jam Jam will return to court this Friday, where a magistrate will rule on whether they should be granted bail.
Until then, they’ll remain in custody.
The case has also sparked broader concerns about job scams in the public sector—and whether more robust verification measures are needed to protect people from similar cons in the future.