Stokvel savings gone: Ten armed robbers raid Limpopo woman's home, stealing her money
Manhunt after Limpopo woman robbed of stokvel cash while asleep at her home
Image: File
Police in Malamulele, under the Vhembe District in Limpopo, have launched a manhunt after armed suspects stole money believed to be stokvel savings during a house robbery at Xigamani village.
According to police, the incident happened on Tuesday night, at about 11:30 pm. Preliminary reports indicate that a 43-year-old woman was asleep in her home with her children when about 10 armed men forced their way into the house.
The suspects allegedly threatened the victims and demanded money before ransacking the house. They fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash and a cellphone.
Police have opened a case of house robbery and investigations are under way.
The acting provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Major General Jan Scheepers, has ordered an immediate probe into the incident.
He also urged community members to exercise caution and avoid keeping large sums of cash in their homes, especially during this time of the year when stokvel-related robberies tend to increase.
“Community members are urged to exercise caution and avoid keeping large sums of cash, particularly during this time of the year when stokvel-related robberies are becoming increasingly common,” said Scheepers.
Anyone with information that can assist police in tracing the suspects is urged to contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Machebele Morris Brain, on 082 319 9724, the Crime Stop number 08600 10111, or the nearest police station. Information can also be shared anonymously via the My SAPS App.
In December last year, IOL reported that Limpopo provincial commissioner of police, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, warned community members, particularly social clubs or stokvels, against carrying large amounts of money, as they can be targeted by criminals and robbed.
The appeal was made by the provincial police commissioner following a house robbery incident.
“A 54-year-old female victim fell victim to a house robbery involving a social club's money at Strydkraal Block A village under the Sekhukhune district on 9 December 2024, at about 10 pm,” said provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba at the time.
He said preliminary investigations revealed that members of a local social club held a meeting at the victim's residence to discuss how they were going to distribute the money they had saved. That meeting started at around 3 pm.
“The meeting concluded at approximately 7 pm, and the members of the social club departed to their homes and left the victim with her teenage daughter,” said Ledwaba.
“At about 10 pm, three unknown male suspects instantly broke into her house and robbed a substantial amount of cash belonging to the social club and later locked the two victims inside one of the bedrooms before fleeing the scene on foot.”
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News