Stokvel group robbed of more than R141 000 in Jerusalem
Three women, who are members of a stokvel group, were recently robbed of R141 372 in cash in Jerusalem informal settlement before members of the club could share their savings.
The women were allegedly robbed of their hard-earned cash soon after they made the cash withdrawal from a bank in Kempton Park.
The trio told the police that after making the cash withdrawal, they placed the money in a bag and travelled to the informal settlement, where members of the stokvel arranged to meet and share their yearly savings.
Trouble broke out when the three members were still waiting for the other members of the Tswelopele stokvel club to arrive at a specific location, where they were supposed to gather.
Two unexpected visitors, described as men neatly dressed in suits, arrived at the property and one of them pulled out gun and pointed it at the victims.
The pair then took the bag containing the money, and fled the scene without firing any shots.
No arrests have been made so far, but police are investigating a case of armed robbery.
The incident has left police baffled and as to who provided the information to the criminals that the three women had just withdrawn a large amount of money.
Members of the stokvel have since January been saving their money every month in order to share it at the end of the year, but now it’s all gone in a few minutes.
The Boksburg police are appealing to stokvel groups to refrain from making huge cash withdrawals, because robbers are known to be targeting such groups during the festive season.
Therefore, stokvel groups are urged to rather use electronic transfers when sharing their savings.
Stokvel groups are advised to rather work out their calculations before visiting the bank.
Anyone with information about the suspects may contact the Boksburg police on 011 841 6800. -@FanieFLK
