THE Zambia Correctional Service has dragged into the open a growing syndicate of WhatsApp ‘warders’ and recruiters who are cashing in on unemployment by selling fake entry into the Service to desperate job seekers.
Lately, desperate job seekers eyeing a place in the Service have been throwing their hard-earned kwacha at WhatsApp recruiters who promise instant employment with nothing more than their pop 2 phones.
According to ZCS, the scammers have been using private messages, WhatsApp groups and phone calls to lure victims with promises of guaranteed recruitment, only to demand money for so-called processing, facilitation or medical fees that do not exist in any legitimate recruitment process.
ZCS has made it clear that recruitment into the Service is never conducted through such means and that no money is charged at any stage of the recruitment exercise.
The Service’s head of public relations Superintendent Cornelius Mwanza explained that all genuine recruitment is formally announced through official Government media such as national newspapers, radio and television, as well as verified Zambia Correctional Service communication platforms.
Mwanza cautioned the public that any request for money, personal details or promises of employment made through social media or phone calls should be treated as fraudulent and criminal.
“Zambia Correctional Service recruitment is never conducted through private messages, WhatsApp groups, SMS or individuals, and no money is ever charged at any stage of the recruitment process,” Mwanza stated.
He has further advised anyone approached with demands for money or personal information to immediately report the matter to the nearest police station before both money and hope are lost.
By George Musonda
Kalemba January 7, ,2026
