SEDIBENG.- Red eyed predators have turned the misery grant receivers take on, for the R350 COVID-19 relief fund, into a profit. The predators have done this by keeping places in the queues for legitimate collectors of the grant at the post offices, for a fee. The Post Offices that are mostly affected are Sebokeng, Vanderbijlpark and River Square in Three Rivers. They charge between R60 and R100 to hold a place in the queue for one person.
They spend the whole night outside the post offices until post office open the next morning. Each with at least 10 Identity Documents (ID’s) in hand from the desperate grant receivers. Police Spokesperson, Sergeant Gertrude Makhale pointed out that no action can be taken because no statement has been formally lodged by the grant receivers. Security guards are allegedly also involved in this scam.
They apparently collect money and ID books to hand them over to cashiers at the tills, also for a fee. Johan Kruger, Provincial Spokesperson of the Post Office said that self-appointed queue marshals ask customers a fee for a place in the front of the queue. He said customers are not supposed to pay, instead, they must lay charges of bribery to the police. “The Post Office does not have any jurisdiction over the behaviour of members of the public outside Post Office.
People must contact Post Office toll free crime burst number on 0800 020 070.”
