Police warns against carrying large amounts of cash
The Provincial Commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has reiterated the call for community members not to withdraw large amounts of cash and if they do, to be extra cautious after several incidents in which people were robbed after withdrawing large cash amounts from the bank in the province.
This comes after two people were recently robbed of large amounts of money during separate incidents in Polokwane by a group of armed suspects believed to be behind the robberies in the City using the same modus operandi.
The two incidents took place on Friday afternoon, 06 October 2023 where suspects, driving in a dark grey VW Polo, are believed to have followed the victims from the banks. In the first incident, a male victim withdrew an undisclosed substantial amount of money from an ATM in Bendor Park and thereafter drove to barber shop in the CBD, when he was accosted by the suspects who demanded money at gunpoint. The suspects went to the victim’s vehicle and stole all the money, a laptop and personal documents before they fled the scene.
Shortly after the incident, police received a similar complaint where another male victim was followed from the same ATM, possibly by the same suspects, after withdrawing a substantial amount of cash. The suspects blocked the victim’s vehicle and robbed him of the money and two cellphones also at gunpoint.
Police have opened cases of armed robbery. The Investigators from the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit are hard on the heels of the suspects.
The Provincial Commissioner has directed this team of members to intensify their efforts in tracing and apprehending the suspects responsible in the recent robbery incidents.
“We will spare no effort to bring those responsible for these crimes to justice. We urge the public to cooperate with the police by providing valuable information that could assist in these investigations.
Anyone with information can contact Warrant Officer Phaladi Makola on 082 749 2233 or Lieutenant Colonel Richard Boshomane on 079 894 5501 or Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or the nearest Police Station or use MySAPS App.
A warning to be Extra Cautious with Cash! Safety with Cash and Preventing Cash Robberies and Scams https://t.co/S9TiEfO8Ze #ArriveAlive #Crime #CashRobberies #ATM @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/IB5dmGNDtg
– Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) March 31, 2023
