With the festive season approaching, it is expected that most incidents take place where people gather, giving each other money in a form of societies, group entities or gathering to empower each other financially including those getting bonuses.
However this is also the time when people develop criminal minds looking at large amounts of money.
A 37-year-old lady was at her place of residence with two cousins waiting for members of a society to arrive so that they can share money on Sunday, November 6 at Hlalanikahle in Phase 2 at about 14:15.
The victim was called by her daughter that there were people looking for her. Three male suspects approached her one pointing a firearm and istructed her to get back in the room. A neighbour also came being escorted at gun point by the fourth unknown suspect as well. After the suspects and the ladies were in the house, the suspects then demanded money. They robbed the women of an amount of R112 000 in cash and left the scene luckily no injuries were sustained.
Last year a similar incident happened whereby members of a stokvel were robbed from their hard earned money. The members could not believe that they have lost their hard earned money after they were forced to hand over their money.
It was reported to the Vosman police that members of a stokvel group were at a house in Extension 12 when two unknown men came to the house and armed with a firearm. The pair then demanded that they hand over the money. They insisted that they must hand over the money otherwise they would shoot them. One of the members gave them the money which was kept in a lunch box. The suspects took the money away.
After a minute or so they came back demanding more money. One of the suspects went to one of the male members and pointed his firearm at him and demanded the safe keys. He refused him the safe keys. The suspects further threatened to shoot him and he obliged and handed over the safe keys. The suspects then took the money and put it in a black school bag and fled the scene. Close to R1-million was taken by the suspects.
Police investigated a case of armed robbery and no arrests were made at that time.
Vosman communication officer Captain Klaas Maloka, said they have warned members of the public, especially stokvel members to be aware of criminal activity during the festive season. He said criminals know that stokvel members share their money during this season.
Cases of stokvel members being robbed of their shared account have reported in other provinces as well.
Captain Maloka said police always came up with safety tips for stokvel members. He said they should not withdraw large amounts of cash and that they need to arrange for members to be paid through electronic funds transfers so that the money is exchanged safely.
No one has been arrested.
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