A suspected robber, who tried to rob a group of women of their stokvel money, was shot dead. His partner, however, fled with the loot.
The incident happened at Majosi last Wednesday when a group of women apparently gathered at a house to distribute their stokvel money. One of the stokvel members, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the two robbers entered the house and pointed a gun at the women. They demanded the money and then disappeared.
The women raised the alarm and members of the community started chasing after the robbers. An off-duty policeman allegedly tried to apprehend one of the suspects and a fight broke out. The suspect was shot amidst the scuffle and died on the scene. The policeman was injured during the incident.
The police have since warned people not to keep or distribute stokvel money in their homes. The police's spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, has urged the organisers of these stokvel clubs not to publicly announce when the money is to be withdrawn. Distribution of the money through bank accounts was a safer option than carrying such large amounts of cash around, or keeping it at home, Brig Mojapelo said.
Mojapelo said cases of murder and robbery were being investigated by the police.