A 71-year-old woman became the latest victim of bank card scammers when she approached an ATM at the Dayizenza Shopping Complex in Masoyi on Friday, January 3.

The victim was about to withdraw her pension money from the ATM when two women reportedly approached her and offered to assist her.

“The suspects claimed that there was no network at the ATM and advised her to attempt to withdraw the money at a nearby supermarket. Once there, the victim discovered that her bank card had been swapped and that R1 700 had already been withdrawn from her account,” said a police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane.

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“The woman immediately went to the Hazyview Sassa offices to report the incident.”

The victim then reported the matter to the police, who after investigating, traced the suspects and arrested them on Monday, January 6.

The two suspects, a 47-year-old former SAPS official attached to the Skukuza Police Station and her 37-year-old accomplice, are facing charges of fraud.

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They appeared in the KaBokweni Magistrate’s Court today, January 8.

Former Constable Thembi Aretha Mhlanga was granted R1 000 bail, while her accomplice, Sarel Sithole was remanded in custody due to having other cases pending against her.

Their next court appearance is expected to be in the Masoyi Periodical Court on January 15.

The acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to not to fall victim to such scams.

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