SEBOKENG.- Two suspects believed to be loan sharks were arrested yesterday after they were found to be in possession of over 200 South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) social grant cards and money at Thabong Mall.
The suspects were seen withdrawing cash using various SASSA cards at ATM near one of the Supermarkets at the mall.
Departmental spokesperson Ofentse Morwane says, “The arrest was effected by the members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) following a tip off from patrollers deployed at the mall. The suspects are believed to be loan sharks who took SASSA cards from their owners.The suspects are currently detained at the Sebokeng police station while the investigation continues.”
Morwane reports that Gauteng Community Safety recently deployed over 3000 Community Patrollers to assist during the Covid-19 lock-down to ensure compliance with the regulations and adherence to the Disaster Management Act.
“They (Patrollers) are also tasked with assisting and ensuring that the elderly, disabled and child support grant beneficiaries comply with social distancing at identified SASSA pay points as well as at various shopping malls. The patrollers are also deployed in identified crime hotspots across the province.”
The Gauteng Department of Community Safety has since commended the role of Community Patrollers during the Covid-19 lockdown period.
