THE People’s Paper has previously published stories of people who have run away with stokvel money.
Now people on social media are urging others to be careful.
This, as many stokvel members are excited that soon, they’ll be able to access the money they’ve been contributing all year.
But they’re not the only ones keen for year-end boosts because criminals are also licking their lips, waiting to rob them of their savings.
Financial advisor Nombeko Deda said stokvel members must ensure that they fully trust the person saving the contributions.
Nombeko said it helps to know details about that person, such as their home address and where they work as well as their friends, in case they decide to flee with the money.
“The person assigned to withdraw the contributions must be accompanied by another member to avoid handling the funds alone or falling victim to robbery.”
She advised them to avoid withdrawing large amounts of money at an ATM, especially after hours or in congested places.
“Don’t announce the stokvel withdrawal plans on social media or share photos of the cash. You might open yourselves up to be targeted and defrauded,” she said.
Some women who have lost their money told Daily Sun that they had not recovered from the blow.
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A domestic worker from Boksburg, who is also a mother of two, said she had been saving R2 000 monthly and was excited as one of her kids was going to university this year.
“The lady we trusted with our money ran away just a month before sharing,” she said.
She was found in Limpopo and arrested.
“Getting back up after that has not been easy. I haven’t joined any stokvel. I’d rather save the little I have in my fixed account,” she said.
A woman from Vosloorus said she was in a stokvel and ensured that the person holding their contributions was transparent.
“In 2020, my money disappeared with the person holding our contributions and nobody knows where she is.”
