Eastern Cape: Police investigate house robbery after a hit on stokvel in Addo P…

Eastern Cape: Police investigate house robbery after a hit on stokvel in Addo

Police in Addo are warning stokvel members to take extra precautions when conducting their financial transactions. This warning came after three men robbed members of a stokvel club of a large sum of cash in Addo yesterday.

On Sunday, 8 July 2018 around 4pm, it is alleged that three men armed with firearms stormed into a house in Kolosa Street, Nomathansanqa area in Addo. The three men held 25 stokvel members at gunpoint. The Suspects stole the victims cell phones, a large sum of money and then locked the doors of the house before fleeing the scene. The 25 stokvel club members, all women managed to open a kitchen door and then summoned the police. Police are investigating a case of house robbery. Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects is urged to contact the nearest police station or to share information via Crime Stop 08600 10111.

Uitenhage Acting Cluster Commander, Brigadier Ronald Koll said: “We would like to warn members of stokvels or savings clubs to revisit their strategies and methods in handling these large amounts of cash”.

#CarryingCashSafely tips for stokvel clubs

If you are a member of a cash savings club, advise members of your club of the following TIPS that will assist your club from being victim to cash robberies:

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 and
Arrange for the club’s pay-out to be electronically transferred into each club member’s personal account or accounts of their choice.

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