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Limpopo Stokvel Robbery Highlights Risks for Cash-Holding Households
Stokvel season should feel like a reward after a long year of saving. Instead, many South Africans enter December with a growing sense of unease. In Limpopo, another community member has been left bruised and shaken after criminals targeted her stokvel payout in the early hours of Saturday morning.
A violent start to the day
The 55-year-old woman from Nkowankowa stepped outside at about 5 am to fetch water. It was a normal routine, something she had probably done countless times before. As she returned inside, two unknown men ambushed her.
According to Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, one of the attackers pointed a firearm at her and demanded money. She was forced into a bedroom where the suspects grabbed a plastic bag filled with stokvel savings and her cellphone. She was pushed to the floor in the chaos and suffered injuries, though the gun was not fired.
The suspects escaped on foot, disappearing before neighbours could respond.
A worrying trend in Limpopo
Police are increasingly concerned about these incidents. With deposits and payouts happening more frequently in December, stokvel members have become prime targets for armed robberies.
Limpopo’s provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, condemned the latest attack and reminded residents of the serious risks associated with keeping cash at home. She noted that robberies linked to stokvel groups tend to rise sharply at this time of year.
It is not the first time criminals have struck in the province. Just last month, a similar robbery took place in Xigamani village in the Vhembe District. A woman and her children were asleep when a group of around ten armed men stormed their home at midnight and stole cash believed to be stokvel savings, along with a phone. Like the latest case, those suspects also fled on foot.
Why people still keep cash at home
In many communities, stokvels are a trusted way to save, especially for those who prefer cash or have limited access to traditional banking services. However, word spreads quickly when a payout is coming, and criminals know it too.
Culturally, gathering savings in one home still feels familiar and safe to many. Police are hoping to shift that mindset this year by urging groups to consider safer alternatives, such as bank transfers or meeting at secure public places.
Community called to help
Investigations are underway, and officers are calling on residents to step forward if they have any information that could help track down the attackers. Crime Stop, the nearest police station, or the My SAPS App offer ways to report tips anonymously.
As families prepare for the festive season, this incident is a painful reminder to be vigilant. Savings meant to bring joy should not end in trauma.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: Adobe Stock
