STOKVEL clubs are urged to be crime aware ahead of the festive season.
Col Thembeka Mbhele from provincial SAPS, said stokvel related robberies and thefts are most prevalent around this time of the year.
“We urge stokvel clubs to be proactive and adopt reasonable measures to safeguard their money,” she said.
Mbhele said instead of withdrawing large amounts of cash from the banks to pay out money to members, clubs should rather transfer the money into individual bank accounts. Those members who do not have bank accounts should be encouraged to open them.
“Clubs that have to pay cash to their members, a practice which is inadvisable, should ensure that they have a secure venue with adequate safety measures in place when dividing and paying members their share of the year’s savings. Stokvel clubs can also request their local police to patrol the vicinity of the venue where they are to make payments to their members as this would deter criminal elements,” said Mbhele.
She said members of stokvel clubs should be vigilant and take precautions to safeguard their money when making withdrawals at the ATMs.
“They should not withdraw large amounts of money, especially after hours when the streets are quiet and criminals are likely to be lurking around, but rather use the ATMs at shopping malls during business hours when it is safer or where there are security officials on duty,” said Mbhele.
