The Provincial SAPS Organized Crime Detectives and De Aar Crime Intelligence, Prieska Home Affairs, De Aar Flying Squad, Public Order Policing and K9 unit followed up on information regarding suspects who were allegedly illegally utilizing SASSA (Pension) cards of community members.
The multi-disciplinary team executed the operations on 6 and 7 June 2023 in various towns in the Northern Cape.
The teams raided several businesses in Niekerkshoop, Prieska and surrounding areas and arrested 5 foreign national males and confiscated SASSA cards, banks cards and Identity Documents inside the wholesalers and shops of the suspects.
Preliminary information indicated that the business owners coerce the community members to hand over their pension cards in return for groceries and charge them exorbitant levies on the transactions.
In a separate incident, the Provincial Organized Crime Detectives, Crime Intelligence and Public Order Policing followed up on information and pounced on two national male suspects withdrawing money at an ATM in Barkly West.
The incident occurred on the 6 June 2023 at about 02:00 but the suspects fled when they spotted the police. Police searched the Ford Wild Track bakkie and also found a large amount of SASSA cards, ID documents and bank cards as well as an undisclosed amount of cash.
The cash, cards and bakkie was seized by the police as it was allegedly utilized during criminal activities.
All the arrested suspects were charged for Contravention of the National Credit Act of 34/2005 and will be appearing in the respective courts soon.
Police request that persons who might have fallen prey to similar criminal activities to please contact D/Const Stefaans Mangate on 060 963 6397 or sms anonymously to 32211 or utilize the My SAPS App.
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