A Soshanguve woman was robbed after withdrawing R68 565 in stokvel money last week, apparently by a syndicate specialising in this type of crime.
Rietgat police spokesperson Warrant Officer Lolo Mangena said the last four weeks had seen numerous people being targeted after withdrawing large amounts of stokvel money from banks. These robberies occurred in Ga-Rankuwa, Soshanguve and Mabopane, among others.
“This kind of crime against people who are part of social stokvels, have been rife in the past few weeks. It is mainly during the festive season that they occur. We believe it poses a real danger to the community because of numerous reports in this regard lately.”
Johanna Ledwaba (46) from Block PP2 in Soshanguve was travelling home by minibus taxi to meet other members of her stokvel club, after withdrawing the money from a bank in Soshanguve Plaza near Mabopane train station.
A tearful Ledwaba said six armed men wearing balaclavas stopped the taxi at a stop sign. They came straight for her and while pointing a firearm, demanded the cash.
“They grabbed my breasts, ripped off my clothes and ruthlessly searched me,” she said. The ordeal happened in Soshanguve Block HH near Desh-Desh in broad daylight and the suspects – who searched everyone in the taxi – fled the scene in an unidentified vehicle.”
Ledwaba said what shocked her was how the robbers knew she had a large amount of money. “People in our social group were very angry although since we started the group about three years ago, we have never encountered a robbery,” she added.
The ordeal left Ledwaba miserable as the suspects stole the Christmas gifts and clothes she bought for her children. Mangena confirmed that charges had been laid, saying the matter was being investigated.
“The victim was robbed of a total of R70 825. Our investigation is continuing and we will make an arrest soon. Our appeal to residents who are part of social clubs is that they have to use bank accounts to share or transfer money,” he said.
Mangena said security guards at banks should keep an eye open for suspicious characters hanging around banks.
“We will soon have meetings with respective stakeholders at banks to make sure they take the safety of their customers seriously.”
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