AS the festive season approaches residents are eager to spend their hard earned money with their loved ones. Regrettably, this is also the time in which criminal elements will attempt to continue committing crimes.
As a precautionary measure, communications officer of Amanzimtoti SAPS, Cpt Charlene Van Der Spuy would like to caution members of the community, particularly those who have been saving money through stokvel groupings or societies to avoid carrying a lot of cash.
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“Two crime types remain prevalent; firstly victims are followed out of banks after a cash withdrawal has been made. In some of the incidences, consumers are followed after withdrawing money at an Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) to their residences, places of work, vehicles or any other place where it is easy to rob them.It is apparent that secondly in the case of bank branches, ‘spotters’ still operate and communicate the victims’ description to accomplices, who wait outside the bank. Small business owners are also at risk, particularly when drawing cash to pay weekly wages,” she said.
In most robberies, robbers are armed and will resort to violence if the victim resists. These kind of robberies are not limited to urban areas, but also occur in rural communities. There are safer ways to do transactions, such as internet transfers or mobile banking, instead of carrying large amounts of cash.
Tips for Stokvel Groupings:
· Refrain from making cash deposits of club members’ contributions on high-risk days (e.g. Monday after month end).
· Ensure persons depositing club cash contributions or making withdrawals are accompanied by another club member.
· A Stokvel savings club or burial society can arrange for members to deposit cash directly into the club’s account instead of collecting cash contributions.
· Arrange for the club’s pay out to be electronically transferred into each club member’s personal account or accounts of their choice.
· Take another person with when going to deposit club cash contributions.
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