The Mpumalanga Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) raided several alleged illegal loan sharks in Mbombela today, May 21. They confiscated thousands of bank cards, Sassa cards and ID books. Six loan sharks were arrested during the raid.

The provincial Hawks’ spokesperson, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, said the raid and arrests came after the National Credit Regulator (NCR) had informed them there were a number of loan sharks who were withholding the ID books of people who had borrowed money from them.

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This would have made it impossible for these people to vote. Since the NCR cannot execute an arrest, the Hawks were asked to accompany them to raid a building in Bester Street.

“Our aim while going there was to raid two loan sharks’ offices. We found various ID books and other money cards. We found they were operating illegally, so we confiscated the cards and ID books and arrested six suspects. We believe that as the process continues, more people will be arrested,” she said.

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Sekgotodi said the six suspects could face charges of fraud and operating illegal businesses. She also said the loan sharks should refrain from holding people’s IDs, which is illegal.