Stokvel payout in December? Police say stop paying out in cash

Police in the Northern Cape are warning stokvel members to stop handing out year-end payouts in cash, saying predictable withdrawals and meeting dates make savings clubs easy targets for robbers (IOL).

The warning, issued on 23 October 2026 by SAPS spokesperson Captain Nomthandazo Mnisi, comes as clubs start planning December payouts, when large amounts of cash move between banks, ATMs and members' homes (IOL).

What are police asking stokvels to do?

The main advice is to avoid cash altogether. SAPS wants clubs to pay members by electronic transfer straight into their bank accounts, and organisers to ask their banks about safer ways to collect contributions and pay out (IOL).

"Avoid withdrawing or distributing large sums of money at predictable times, locations or through routine arrangements," Mnisi said (IOL).

Police also advise members to:

• keep payout dates, withdrawal plans and meeting venues to themselves and trusted members only
• not post about savings, payouts or cash on social media
• refuse help from strangers at banks and ATMs
• not travel alone if carrying cash can't be avoided, and arrange proper security
• watch for people or cars that seem to follow them after a withdrawal

(IOL)

What should you do if you think you're being followed?

Don't drive or walk home. Mnisi said members should go to the nearest police station or a busy, safe place and call the police straight away (IOL).

Which numbers do you call?

For an emergency, such as a robbery in progress or being followed, call 10111. It runs 24 hours a day (SAPS).

To give an anonymous tip-off about criminals, call Crime Stop on 08600 10111 (SAPS). You can also send tips through the free MySAPS app, or dial **\*134\*10111#** on a feature phone (SAPS).

Is this only for the Northern Cape?

The statement came from SAPS in the Northern Cape, where police say festive season crime prevention and high-visibility operations will continue (IOL). The same risks apply to any club that moves cash in December, and the advice costs nothing to follow wherever you live.