BY DELISA THWALA
MBABANE – There was less stokvel crime cases reported to the Royal Eswatini Police Services (REPS) this year.
This information is according to the Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati.
The police mouth piece was speaking during a live interview with Eswatini TV news team; this is where she mentioned that from the cases they had there were fewer cases opened for stokvel monies.
“Compared to last year where we had a lot of cases reported where people reported their stokvel money was stolen or they were scammed,” said Vilakati.
In addition to that, Vilakati urged all stokvel clubs to transfer the funds electronically to their members’ accounts to avoid them being robbed of their cash
“As we near the end of the year, many stokvel clubs will be distributing contributions to their members. This is normally in the form of large sums of money that are distributed as cash pay-outs. Police urge these clubs to transfer the funds electronically to their members’ accounts to avoid them being robbed of their cash,” she said.
It was later revealed by the superintendent that last month they had a case where E229 000 was stolen from a stokvel club.
“Last year, many stokvel clubs reported that they were robbed after they had withdrawn cash for distribution. Many stokvel members reported that they were robbed at their homes after they received their contributions. This makes it clear that people are robbed by individuals close to them who are aware that they will be receiving such a pay-out,” said the superintendent.
Vilakati further warned the public to avoid becoming a victim of crime, members of the community were urged to make use of electronic banking facilities to make payments and to receive money. She further encouraged employers to transfer staff bonuses and salaries into staff members’ accounts during December, as carrying large sums of money would expose them to criminal elements.
