The South African Police Service in Kwanobuhle have launched a manhunt for two suspects who allegedly robbed a group of stokvel owners today, 2 December 2018 at 15:30. It is alleged that two armed suspects entered the residential premises in Matanzima Road, Kwanobuhle, where a group of about 10 persons were busy counting stokvel money. The suspects threatened the group and demanded the cash. The suspects took an undisclosed amount of cash, and a cellphone. No shots were fired and no one sustained any injuries during the robbery and detectives are following up on all possible leads.
As people are getting ready to take a much-needed break this festive season, the South African Police Service appeal to stokvel owners to arrange that club’s pay-outs are done electronically into personal accounts instead of meeting to divide large sums of cash, to avoid possible robberies. Don’t advertise the fact that pay-outs will be done, limit the sharing of pay-out dates or times as this will increase the risk.
Police also want to warn business owners to bank regularly.
“We will be intensifying our police visibility and strengthening our partnership with the community in the fight against crime during this period”, said the acting Cluster Commander of Uitenhage, Brigadier Ronald Koll. Brigadier Koll also appealed to business owners, home owners and security companies to be more vigilant and to report any suspicious behaviour immediately to their local police station. Brig Koll also pleaded with the business community to beef up their security at their respective businesses and to make use of drop safes and to alter their days and ways of banking.
Anyone who might be able to assist with any information, may contact the investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Wouter Verwey on 084 846 2273 or Crime Stop number 08600 10111.