Stokvel clubs must go electronic route

THE festive season rush is fast approaching and police are urging stokvels and other money collecting structures to utilise electronic transactions instead of distributing cash, to avoid losing their hard-earned money to criminals.

Stokvel related robberies and thefts are most prevalent at this time of the year and clubs are urged to

be proactive and adopt reasonable measures to safeguard their money.

Last week two cases were reported in Limpopo where large amounts of cash were stolen from different groups, and Richards Bay SAPS Communications Officer Debbie Ferreira advises the public to be cautious when distributing their funds.

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‘Instead of withdrawing large amounts of cash from the banks to pay out money to club members’, stokvels should rather transfer the money into their members’ bank accounts.

‘Those members who do not have bank accounts should be encouraged to open them.

‘Clubs that have to pay cash to their members should ensure that they have a secure venue with adequate safety measures in place when dividing and paying members their share of the year’s savings.

‘Stokvel clubs can also request local police to patrol the vicinity of the venue where they are to make payments as this would deter criminal elements,’ said Ferreira.

‘We also encourage people not to withdraw large amounts of money from ATMs, especially after hours when the streets are quiet and criminals are likely to be lurking around. Rather use the ATMs at shopping malls during business hours when it is safer or where there are security officials on duty.’

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