NELSPRUIT – Two suspects, both aged 23 years, were arrested in connection with an incident in which a group of women belonging to a stokvel group were robbed of their cash whilst busy sharing. Two armed suspects are said to have suddenly showed up in the house where they had gathered. A 30-year-old woman was fatally shot during the incident which took place on Saturday, 10 December 2022 just before midday at Dingindoda Section in Mshatsa near Masoyi outside White River.
According to the report, it is alleged that after three women were given their share and left, two armed men entered the house. They allegedly held the women hostage and robbed them of undisclosed amount of cash. It is further indicated that when they (suspects) were leaving, one suspect shot at the woman who was later certified dead on arrival in hospital after she was transported by some members of the community. A case of robbery with an additional charge of murder was opened. Members worked tirelessly to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book. As the team connected the dots, the investigation led them to the two suspects, one is a female whilst the other is a male. The investigation is still ongoing and police suspects that the robbery could have been orchestrated whereby suspects somehow knew about the women’s gathering prior to the incident. The team of experts in the field of investigation are working around the clock with an anticipation for more suspects to be arrested in connection with this case.
The two who were arrested are due to appear at the Kabokweni Magistrate’s Court today, 14 December 2022.
Meanwhile the Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela was elated by the breakthrough that has been made thus far by the investigation team. The General further took the opportunity to warn members of the stokvel groups to be alerted about criminals who target unsuspecting victims that abstained and restrained themselves from spending their cash on things that they need most during the year in order to make withdrawal at the end of the year. This is indeed a sad story hence we advise the groups to approach their respective banks for rather safe alternative methods such as electronic transfers in order to prevent incidents like this,” warned Lieutenant General Manamela.

Source: South African Police Service