Mother and daughter robbed of Stokvel group’s money in Limpopo village! Limpopo’s provincial commissioner of police, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has issued a stern warning to community members, particularly social clubs and stokvels, to avoid carrying large amounts of cash, as they are increasingly becoming targets for criminals.
The warning comes after a house robbery incident in the Sekhukhune district on Monday, December 9, 2024, involving a substantial sum of money belonging to a local social club.
House Robbery Incident in Strydkraal Block A
The robbery occurred at approximately 10 pm in the village of Strydkraal Block A, under the Sekhukhune district, when a 54-year-old woman fell victim to the crime. According to the provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, the incident unfolded after a social club meeting had taken place earlier that day.
The social club members had gathered at the victim’s house starting at around 3 pm to discuss how they would distribute the money that had been saved by the group. After a productive meeting, the social club members departed at approximately 7 pm, leaving the victim and her teenage daughter alone at the residence.
At around 10 pm, three unknown male suspects broke into the house, threatening the victims and demanding the large sum of cash that had been saved by the social club. Once the robbers obtained the money, they locked the mother and daughter inside one of the bedrooms and fled the scene on foot.
Victims Rescued, Police Launch Manhunt
The two victims were later rescued by a relative, and the matter was promptly reported to the police. The police are treating the incident as a case of house robbery and have since launched a manhunt for the suspects. Colonel Ledwaba has urged the public to come forward with any information that could assist in the identification and apprehension of the criminals involved.
Police are appealing for anyone with information regarding the suspects’ whereabouts to contact Captain Michael Thobejane at 082 414 2415, the Crime Stop number 08600 10111, the nearest police station, or the My SAPS App.
Previous Robbery Incidents Involving Stokvels
This incident is not the first of its kind in Limpopo’s Sekhukhune district. In February 2024, a similar case occurred in the Hlogotlou area, where stokvel members were targeted during a monthly contribution gathering. The suspects, armed with firearms, confronted the stokvel members and stole a substantial amount of money from them.
According to Colonel Ledwaba, the victims had been meeting at one member’s house on a Saturday to contribute their monthly savings when three armed men burst into the home and stole the money. Another victim was also robbed of cash during the attack. After the incident, the police opened a case of house robbery and launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.
These incidents highlight a troubling pattern in which community groups, particularly those who save money together, are becoming targets of violent criminals looking to exploit their collective savings. The police have reiterated the need for these groups to exercise caution and be mindful of the risks involved in holding large sums of money, especially in residential areas.
Police Response and Public Appeals
The police response to these robberies underscores the growing concern around crime targeting social clubs, stokvels, and other community organizations that handle significant amounts of cash. In light of these robberies, the Limpopo provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Hadebe, is urging all community members to be more vigilant and avoid carrying or storing large sums of money in their homes.
“Criminals are becoming more brazen in targeting social clubs and stokvels because they know these organizations often deal with large amounts of cash,” said Lieutenant General Hadebe. “We urge everyone to take extra precautions and report any suspicious activity to the authorities immediately.”
In addition to the manhunt for the Strydkraal Block A robbery suspects, the police continue to work diligently to bring the criminals responsible for the earlier incidents in Hlogotlou to justice. Both cases have raised awareness about the vulnerability of community savings groups to criminal activity, prompting local authorities to take stronger measures to protect these communities from further harm.
Final Words
As the investigation into the latest robbery continues, Lieutenant General Hadebe remains steadfast in his efforts to reduce crime in Limpopo and protect vulnerable community groups. His appeal for vigilance is a crucial step in safeguarding the social and financial well-being of the province’s residents.
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