Warning: SA defence minister is NOT your friend on social media

Think twice before accepting a "friend" request on social media from defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. Chances are you are being set up as a potential victim of fraud.

The ministry of defence said on Tuesday that it was concerned about various fake social media accounts purporting to belong to Mapisa-Nqakula.

The accounts - on Facebook, LinkedIn and other platforms - have profiles of the minister and have been used to con people. 

“The fraudsters solicit cash or funding in exchange for tenders, job opportunities and business-related favours at both the departments of defence and military veterans," the ministry said in a statement.

"This is nothing but a trick to scam people out of their hard-earned money,” said ministry spokesperson Joy Peter.

Peter said the minister had no social media accounts and did not use the medium to communicate or conduct business transactions. “For official communication and sharing of information on policies and government programmes, she uses reputable mainstream media platforms,” she said.

“The ministry of defence and military veterans does not expect any form of payment or funding from anyone that is interested in available opportunities at both the departments of defence and military veterans,” said Peter.  

The public has been advised not to respond to social media pages impersonating Mapisa-Nqakula - and to block and report any profiles using the minister’s details.