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As the festive season approaches, the public has been urged to be vigilant against criminals who will do anything to steal their savings.
The Mpumalanga SA Police Service (SAPS) made this warning ahead of the holiday season when stokvel members and other similar groups prepare to distribute large quantities of money that they have saved over the year.
As a result of criminals targeting unassuming individuals, the SAPS has warned the public against carrying large sums of cash for the purposes of sharing but to rather consider other means of handling these monies.
These include the electronic transfer of cash into individual bank accounts as a method of distribution among stokvel members.
READ: Personal Finance | How did United African Stokvel con so many people?
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Donald Mdhluli said:
“Having cash transferred electronically into one's bank account may help prevent incidents of similar robberies that were reported in the past years in relation to stokvels,” he added.
READ: Festive season depression and abuse statistics
Mdhluli said in one such incident, at Masoyi, in Mpumalanga, a nurse was shot and killed by a suspect who attacked her when women belonging to a stokvel group gathered at a certain house to share money among themselves.
They were reportedly robbed of their cash when two armed suspects showed up.
He said a 30-year-old Jabulile Mdluli was fatally shot during the incident, which took place on Saturday, 10 December 2022, just before midday at Dingindoda Section in Mshatsa near Masoyi outside White River.
According to Mdhluli, there are several more behaviours by these club members that might endanger them, including making withdrawals to buy necessities. He advised that getting a quote from the stores and paying using electronic transfers rather than cash was the best course of action.
He said:
READ: Safety tips for stokvel members for this festive season
The goal of informing the public about the issue, according to Mdhluli, is to urge individuals to practise safety to protect their hard-earned money rather than discourage them from forming clubs to save.
The SAPS urged community members to be vigilant and refrain from sharing information with anyone who may work against them, compromising their safety and that of their properties. If need be, people should think twice before blowing a horn on their acquired personal belongings.
- Immediately notify your bank if your card is lost or stolen.
- Stand close to the ATM and always cover the keypad while entering your PIN.
- Do not accept help from strangers.
- Never share your PIN.
