Small-town post offices targeted for Covid millions

At least 10 robberies reported, postmaster among those arrested ASANDA NINI and SANDISO PHALISO

Eastern Cape post offices holding Covid-19 relief funds are being systematically targeted by robbers who are allegedly in cahoots with senior managers at these branches.

Most of the post office robberies occur in small towns, and according to Unathi Binqose, spokesperson for safety & liaison MEC Weziwe TikanaGxothiwe, “no less than 10” outlets have been targeted in recent weeks.

Communications, telecommunications & postal services minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams is “deeply concerned” about the situation, according to her spokesperson, Mish Molakeng.

The Dispatch understands that Ndabeni-Abrahams will meet Tikana-Gxothiwe later this week to discuss the robberies.

Binqose said indications were that there was now a “systematic campaign against these small town post offices as they are seen as easy targets” by criminal elements.

Post offices in the Chris Hani, OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo districts were particularly under threat.

In Molteno on September 9, robbers who broke into the post office got away with R306,681.

Binqose said information was followed up by Komani police crime intelligence, the dog unit and the flying squad and a number of suspects and the vehicle they were travelling in were identified the following day.

“A suspect was traced around Mdantsane and arrested. A second suspect was nabbed in Qumbu, and more suspects are still expected to be arrested for this case,” said Binqose.

On September 2 the Dordrecht post office was targeted.

Staff were held at gunpoint before the robbers made off with R720,000, which was meant for Covid-19 relief for hungry people in and around the town.

The group of people arrested included the postmaster.

“It is alleged that at about 2pm on September 2, an amount of R600,000 was received by the post office from G4S security as requested by the postmaster. After an hour, at about 3.15pm, three males entered the post office, started to assault the security guard and robbed him of his firearm,” Binqose said.

“In the process, two men jumped over the counter and demanded money from the two employees who were on duty. They held them at gunpoint. They managed to get about R720,000 and left the scene on foot.”

Binqose said two suspects were arrested in Komani, allegedly in possession of some of the cash.

A health department official, believed to have been the driver of the getaway car, was arrested and R250,000 recovered. The postmaster and another suspect were subsequently arrested. All five have been charged with business robbery.

They appeared in the Dordrecht magistrate’s court on Tuesday.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Anelisa Ngcakani said the matter was postponed to September 22 for a formal bail application.

Police spokesperson Khaya Tonjeni identified the accused

‘They are seen as easy targets’ by criminal elements

as Elvis Duda, 41, Man Mzulama, 42, Zanozuko Mbube, 42, Luzuko Peter, 38, and Sikhumbule Sitsha, 36.

Tikana-Gxothiwe said: “A huge sum of that money was meant to go to thousands of people who are recipients of the special Covid-19 relief of distress grant of R350, people who stood in long queues for hours waiting to their money. I thank the police for their swift action in this and for recovering some of that money.”

Binqose did not want to give the Dispatch the names of all the post offices that had been targeted to date, saying the information might jeopardise police investigations.

However, Tonjeni said the King William’s Town post office was targeted on September 8.

Tonjeni said it was alleged that when a security guard made his rounds, he noticed a hole in a glass door where an aluminium ventilator was forced open just above the door. When the manager arrived he reported the matter and police were called to the scene. “Another door from the hall to the tellers was found forced open and the cash tills were opened and trays taken out. Nothing was taken as there was no money in the tills.

“In the manager’s office was a float of R600, only the staff could not open the safe to see if the money was still there or not.”

Dordrecht mayor Ntombizanele Koni has learnt of the “disappointing allegations” that government officials and public sector agency employees” had robbed money meant for “needy people”. He was pleased that arrests had been made.

“Our people, who are suffering because of poverty and the highest level of unemployment ever, have to go back without any money because of this criminal activity. At the level where we are, we are happy about the arrest, and hope this will send a strong message to everyone that crime doesn’t pay.”

They managed to get about R720,000 ...