The robbers made off in a white Polo GTI with R120 000 in cash which he was going to use to pay his employees, as well as his wallet with an undisclosed amount of cash.
The man told Midrand police that he had parked his bakkie and was walking towards work on 16th Road in Randjiespark when he was robbed at around 1.30pm on 31 March. He said four men approached him, one armed with a gun.
The men ordered him to lie on the ground and not to look at them. The man did as instructed while they searched him and took the money and wallet.
The South Africa Banking Risk Information Centre released a few guidelines for small businesses to follow when handling cash:
- Alternate the days and times you deposit or withdraw cash.
- 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 identify another branch nearby that you can visit so you don’t have a regular banking pattern.
- 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 which can be provided by your bank.
- Consider arranging for electronic transfers of wages to contract or casual labourers’ personal bank accounts.
Constable Matome Tlamela, head of communications for Midrand police, said they had not made any arrests as yet, but the case was being investigated.
“We are hoping to make arrests soon,” said Tlamela.
What other business safety tips can you think of? Share them with Midrand Reporter in the comments below.
