‘Don’t carry large amounts of money’ – Mokopane police
Residents are cautioned not to carry large amounts of cash during this festive period to minimise the chances of being the victim of robberies.
MOKOPANE – Col Leshoaneng Mantjane, Station Commander of Mokopane, said citizens should consider other means of payment when doing shopping. “Residents should carry as little cash as possible and consider making use of cellphone banking and internet transfers to pay accounts or ATM’s to conduct banking. It is also saver to withdraw cash at tellers of Pick n Pay or Checkers. We are concerned after recent incidents where people are robbed of their cash or even injured in the process. Police issued safety guidance tips to prevent such incidents in the future and to make the community more vigilant and minimise the chances of being the victim of robberies.”
Mantjane said he also would like to warn all stokvel members to take extra precautions when dealing with large amounts of cash as these types of cases are very prevalent during the festive season when members are sharing money among stokvel members.” Stokvels are advised to arrange with their banks to deposit cash into their accounts. Citizens are cautioned not to withdraw large amounts of cash or transport large sums for deposits as often criminals have been tipped off and follow people to and from banks with the intention to rob them.”
Tips to avoid being a victim of cash robberies:
• Alternate the days and times on which you deposit cash.
• Refrain from making cash deposits
• Never make your bank visits public, even to people close to you.
• Do not openly display the money you are depositing while you are standing in the bank queue.
• Avoid carrying money bags, briefcases or openly displaying your deposit receipt book.
• It is advisable to do your banking business at different branches to ensure that your bank pattern is not easily recognizable or traced.
• If the amount of cash you are regularly depositing is increasing as your business grows, consider using the services of a cash management company
• Refrain from giving wages to your contract or casual labourers in full view of the public rather make use of wage accounts that can be provided by your bank.
• Refrain from driving to the bank in your company branded vehicle on a typical ‘pay day’.
• Consider arranging for electronic transfers of wages to your contract or casual labourers’ personal bank accounts.
