SAPS warn about scams and drunk driving
With only a few days left to Christmas, the police have warned members of stokvel groups about the perils of sharing large amounts of their investments during the festive season. It is common knowledge in the townships that December is the time when most stokvel members share their annual investments. The investment is money contributed …
With only a few days left to Christmas, the police have warned members of stokvel groups about the perils of sharing large amounts of their investments during the festive season.
It is common knowledge in the townships that December is the time when most stokvel members share their annual investments. The investment is money contributed throughout the year by the members and invested in a profit-bearing bank account. This money can only be withdrawn by the group’s executive and is then shared among members at the end of the year.
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The regular financial contribution made by each member depends on the type of stokvel, the number of members, and social status of its members. The estimated value can vary between R50 000 to R500 000 or more per stokvel group annually.
According to the police, it is during December that many stokvel groups encounter internal problems of conflict and fraudulent activities from within their ranks.
“This could be in the form of a staged robbery or the stokvel money could be stolen or embezzled by one or a few members in charge of the group’s finances, such as the treasurer. Sometimes the vehicles delivering stokvel food hampers are mysteriously hijacked or robbed while en route to a delivery,” explained Capt Mega Ndobe, a spokesperson for the Katlehong SAPS Cluster.
“We advise people involved with stokvel groups to arrange with their respective banks to assist them in sharing their dividends. The bank will be able to apportion each member his or her equal share into individual bank accounts, instead of all the members gathering at another house to share their investment.
“This way they will be able to avoid being robbed while transporting the money after they’ve withdrawn the money,” said Ndobe.
According to Ndobe, the risk of being robbed or scammed in a stokvel extends beyond sharing just money.
“Food hamper stokvels also stand being abused and exploited by their own member or outside criminal elements looking for opportunities this time if the year,” Ndobe explained.
Outlining the many different risks faced by food hamper stokvels, Ndobe said many of them are targeted by criminals both from within the stokvel groups as well as the criminal element outside.
“One or two members may arrange for the vehicle used to be hijacked or stolen with the food hampers inside,” he added.
Ndobe said when police have investigated such crimes in the past, it was proven the stolen food hampers and hijacked vehicle are often sold to crime syndicates. The hampers are sold to syndicates that channel back into food chain market by reselling them as groceries to spaza shop owners.”
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Ndobe warned people against carrying large amounts of cash on their person, especially now that year-end bonuses have paid out.
“You are like a person who is openly carrying a firearm in public. You are bound to be followed and attacked,” he warned.
Most people with a bit of extra Christmas bonus money will be going out to have fun with family and friends to celebrate the festive season.
“We urge members of the public to refrain from withdrawing large amounts of cash as they risk being followed and robbed. The only advice we can give the public is to stay alert and aware of their surroundings at all times,” Ndobe said.
According to the SAPS, most robberies where victims are followed from the bank are often orchestrated by individual criminals or syndicates, some in cahoots with “moles” planted inside the bank.
“The criminal or “mole” will even get into a taxi, bus or train with you until he finds the right moment to rob or even kill you. Sometimes this means following you right into your home,” explained Ndobe.
Ndobe told Kathorus MAIL the police have had numerous similar crimes committed around this time of the year. He said such crimes are tricky and often difficult to solve as they require dedicated crime intelligence work to solve.
What to do when you are being followed:
• Make sure the vehicle you suspect is following you is not just a motorist driving elsewhere by making several manoeuvres. Once sure, drive to the nearest police station or garage.
• Be wary of strange accidents such as someone bumping you from the back at a stop street or while you are driving. Don’t stop, simply drive straight to the nearest police station and report the incident.
Drunken driving will, according to Ndobe, be on the priority list of infringements the SAPS urges road users to refrain from. Ndobe said motorists who drive under the influence of alcohol risk being involved in a road accident, being killed or crippled for life, being assaulted, raped or hijacked.
“We appeal to motorists to refrain from drinking and driving or partying with friends at taverns during the festive season,” said Ndobe. He urged members of the public to observe the law at all times for the sake of their own safety, both at home and on the road.
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