New type of criminals strike Buhleni
BUHLENI – There is no doubt that one of the sweetest sounds to the ear is that of ATM releasing cash, but for residents of Buhleni, it is a reminder of a traumatic experience.
In the town of Buhleni, a crime syndicate has reportedly devised a new method of stealing from unsuspecting residents, leading to a heightened state of fear and insecurity.
An investigation by this publication has uncovered how criminals were now using a kombi to rob their victims, by driving them to an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) and then forcing them to withdraw cash. They are also said to have used a car.
Kombis are typically associated with public transportation, but this time around, for robberies. It has been gathered that the alleged criminals take their time to scan the area of their intended target.
Their operation, according to information sourced from some residents begins with identifying their victim and being 100 per cent sure that the identified person has cash in their bank account.
Their targets are usually unsuspecting residents going about their daily routines, oblivious to the danger lurking nearby. It is also alleged that the criminals sometimes use toy guns, which are available in shops around Buhleni but for some victims, it is impossible to tell the difference.
Speaking about the incident, *Jomo who revealed he was previously a victim, stated that once the target is identified, the criminals swiftly moved into action.
“They approach the individual, while using elements of surprise and intimidation, force them into the kombi,” stated.
Jomo stated that the victim, caught off guard and overwhelmed, has little chance to resist or call for help. He said the criminals make it clear that they were ready to shoot if any attempts were made to call for help.
He said with the victim at their mercy, the criminals then drive to the nearest ATM. Jomo said this was one of the most terrifying journey, undoubtedly filled with fear and uncertainty for the victim.
It is alleged that upon reaching the ATM, the victims are coerced into withdrawing as much money as possible from their accounts. The criminals, maintaining a constant threat of violence, ensure that the victims comply with their demands.
One victim also recalled how there were other people nearby also waiting to withdraw but he said he was not sure whether the people in the queue were also criminals or genuine bank account holders needing some cash. He said their presence gave an impression of people watching from afar such as a security guard or police officer that, ‘all was well’.
He also revealed that the criminals made sure that the victims withdrew as much money as possible from the accounts using their ATM cards or even through services Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD). The USSD allows account holders to send money to their cellphone electronic wallets and then withdraw it via an ATM. Various banks provide such services branded under their preferred names.
When asked why he thought the criminals used a kombi, his response was that it was possible that this allowed them to blend into the surroundings, making it difficult for witnesses or security cameras to identify them.
Further, this publication gathered that the new tactic had reportedly been used to rob at least six people so far, leading to a climate of fear in the town. Residents are now hesitant to open their doors at night, even to close friends, for fear of being the next victims.
Questions have been raised about how the criminals select their targets. One resident, whose relative was a victim, expressed concern about the criminals’ apparent knowledge of his relative’s cash holdings. “How did they know that?” he asked, suggesting a level of inside information that adds another layer of concern to the situation.
This is not the first time that kidnappings for cash have occurred in the area. In a previous incident, a woman was kidnapped, and the criminals demanded over E1 million from her husband. This case was reported in a local publication.
Similar incidents have been reported across the country. In Mbabane, residents have been robbed of their cash after being forced to withdraw money from ATMs. Victims have include a bank manager, who was kidnapped from her home in Ezulwini. The alleged thieves also reportedly assaulted a minor child who was present during the incident.
In another case, a businessman was kidnapped and forced to withdraw money from an ATM. He was also allegedly assaulted during the ordeal.
These incidents highlight a disturbing trend of escalating crime in the region. The authorities are urged to take swift action to address this issue and restore a sense of security among the residents of Buhleni and surrounding areas. The fear and trauma inflicted by these criminals cannot be underestimated, and the need for effective crime prevention strategies has never
‘‘ Similar incidents have been reported across the country. In Mbabane, residents have been robbed of their cash after being forced to withdraw money from ATMs.’’
been more urgent.
The Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said the police were only aware of three incidents that had been reported so far. She stated that, in the two of the incidences, the victims were robbed of their cash. Further, she stated that they made some arrests after the matters were reported.
However, she also revealed that in the third incident, the criminals failed to rob the victim, as he was able to ascertain that the criminals were using a fake gun and they fled after he had retaliated.
This publication further gathered that the victim was a soldier.
* not real names