TWO suspects, aged 40 and 59, allegedly working as loan sharks, were arrested on Monday, 6 March.
It is alleged that the two somehow kept and used their clients' Sassa cards.
The suspects were arrested after they allegedly went to the ATM with a number of cards and made numerous withdrawals, causing a stir.
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According to the report, members of Middelburg flying squad and visible policing in Witbank received information from the public about two suspects who allegedly withdrew cash from an ATM using different Sassa cards.
The two suspects were then spotted at the ATM by the cops, where they were busy making several withdrawals.
The members monitored the movement of the suspects and followed them to their loan shark business in the Witbank CBD. Upon arrival at the said business premises, the members conducted a search and arrested the two men and a woman after discovering that they were allegedly using Sassa cards as guarantee for their clients who borrowed money from them.
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About 35 Sassa cards were found, as well as undisclosed amount of cash. It is believed that the cards may have been used by the suspects to obtain cash to repayment for loans. Both the cash and the cards were confiscated for further investigation.
The two are facing charges of contravening Section 133 of the National Credit Act 34 of 2005, and were expected to appear in the Emalahleni Magistrates Court on 7 March.
The acting Mpumalanga police commissioner, Major-General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has issued a stern warning to those who conduct businesses illegally that they will be arrested and face the full might of the law without fear or favour.
"We encourage others who might know of people who keep or use either Sassa or bank cards or identity cards without authorization to immediately report this conduct to the authorities," said Mkhwanazi.
