Robberies targeting bank clients withdrawing large amounts of cash have increased, the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric) said on Thursday.
“What appeared at first to be a petty, opportunistic crime now has all the makings of organised operations that systematically target innocent users of banking systems,” chief executive officer Kalyani Pillay said at a media briefing in Johannesburg.
She said perpetrators of the crime operated in groups with some members acting as spotters to look out for people making large cash withdrawals inside banks.
Once they had identified their victims, they passed on the information to the other members who carried out the robbery.
“It is this organised fashion with which these crimes are committed that makes it a challenge to investigate and combat,” Pillay said.
She said there was a perception that bank staff members were colluding with criminals to rob clients, but that was not the only way in which people were robbed.
“Your workers know when you are going to the bank. They can also pass on information.”
Escalating numbers
Pillay advised people to use the electronic banking system, such as internet, cellphone or ATM transfers instead of cash withdrawals.
According to Sabric, while only 28 cases were reported in 2003, no less than 783 cases were reported in 2011 alone. Most of the robberies occurred in Gauteng with 509 cases.
“Two people have lost their lives in this province after having been shot as result of incidents related to these robberies.”
The other provinces showing an increase in the number of incidents were KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga and the North West.
Gauteng deputy police commissioner Major General Simon Mpembe said most of the robberies were reported in the Pretoria, Alexandra and Germiston police clusters.
Since October last year, police had made 65 arrests and recovered 39 vehicles, in incidents related to bank client robberies, Mpembe said.
No bail
Crime Line head, Yusuf Abramjee, said perpetrators of this crime chose their victims indiscriminately.
“They want your hard earned cash, whether it is R1 000 or half a million,” he said.
He said those arrested should not be granted bail.
“It is heart breaking to see courts granting these criminals bail. The law must make it difficult for them to be released on bail.”
Sabric advised people to alternate the days and time on which they deposited money at the bank.
Small businesses should consider using cash management companies when the amount of money they regularly deposit increased as the business grew. — Sapa