Last week the police pounced on foreign nationals in several Northern Cape towns who were allegedly illegally utilising South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and bank cards of community members.
In one of the law-enforcement actions, multi-disciplinary teams raided several businesses in Niekerkshoop, Prieska and surrounding areas, and arrested five foreign national males.
The Sassa and bank cards, as well as identity documents inside the wholesalers and shops of the suspects, were confiscated.
Lt Col Sergio Kock, police spokesperson, said preliminary information indicated that the business owners coerce the community members to hand over their cards in return for groceries, while charging them exorbitant levies on the transactions.
In another incident, police members followed up on information and pounced on two foreign national male suspects withdrawing money at an ATM in Barkly West at about 02:00 on 6 June. The suspects fled when they spotted the police.
The police then searched the Ford Wild Track bakkie and found a large amount of Sassa cards, ID documents, and bankcards, as well as an undisclosed amount of cash.
The cash, cards and bakkie were seized by the police as it was allegedly utilized during criminal activities.
Similar raids and arrests were also made in De Aar and Strydenburg.
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.
The police request that persons who might have fallen prey to similar criminal activities to contact Const. Stefaans Mangate on 060-963-6397 or send an SMS anonymously to 32211 or utilise the Mysaps app.
Illegal, immoral
According to the National Credit Regulator (NCR), it is illegal and a criminal offence for any credit provider to ask you to leave your ID, ATM or Sassa cards, or any of your legal documentation with them.
If you are asked by any credit provider or shop owner to leave with them any such cards or documents or pin codes, it is a criminal offence, and you must report them to the SAPS and NCR.
The NCR reminds all citizens that it is immoral for a money lender to loan against a Sassa grant.
