The Mamelodi East police again urged Pretorians to be extra cautious when handling large amounts of cash during the festive season.
This follows an incident on Tuesday when three masked men robbed social club members of more than R100 000 in cash at gunpoint on the side of the road in Mamelodi East. The robbers apparently followed the victims from the bank.
Social club members save up during the course of a year then divvy up their savings at the end of the yea.
Police spokesperson Captain Michael Mbewe warned that criminals were ready for social clubs.
He advised clubs to transfer money into bank accounts instead of withdrawing cash to prevent them from falling victim to criminals.
Robberies are a particular concern during the festive season.
Mbewe also said several cases in which people were robbed by so-called “false prophets” had also been reported to the police recently.
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He said the “false prophets” used different tricks and stratagems to rob people of their money.
In one incident, a victim at a mall was duped by prophet who claimed to have been sent by God to “chase away the dark cloud hanging over the victim.”
Sometimes victims are told they will lose their loved ones if they were not praying for them.
These false prophets will then lure their unsuspecting victims to isolated areas to “pray for them” where they instead rob them of their money.
“Do not withdraw large amounts of money at the ATM. Rather swipe your card for purchases,” said Mbewe.
He also warned people not to allow strangers to help them at ATMs.
He said drug abuse was also an issue during the festive season.
He said two suspects aged between 25 and 33 years would soon appear in the Mamelodi Magistrate’s court to face charges of dealing in drugs.
Mbewe said the two were arrested following a tip-off.
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“Police were tipped about the dealers during patrols and swiftly went to the RDP house and found suspects, drugs and cash in the backrooms,” said Mbewe.
Mbewe said there would be increased police visibility during the festive season, and anti-crime awareness campaigns would be stepped up.
Anyone who suspects they have been scammed or someone tried to scam them can contact the police on 08600-10111
He advised the public to report any suspicious people to the police on the same number.
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