COURT STAFFER VANISHES WITH STOKVEL’S E45 000

PIGG’S PEAK – A sombre cloud has engulfed personnel at the Pigg’s Peak Magistrate Court.

One of their own is alleged to have left with about E45 000 in cash which they had been saving as part of a stokvel.
Stokvel is a South African word meaning an invitation-only club of 12 or more people serving as rotating credit unions or saving scheme where members contribute fixed sums of money to a central fund on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis

The stokvel involved personnel including magistrates, prosecutors, clerks and maintenance workers, including cleaners.
According to some of the officials at the court, the missing amount is about E68 000, however the police only confirmed E45 000.

The stokvel money was supposed to be paid out this month through grocery items but this may not be happening anytime soon.
It is alleged that the money was taken from the Pigg’s Peak Police Station by one of the officials who will not be named as he is now wanted by the police.

Collected

The officer is said to have collected the money last Friday but no one was aware about this until Tuesday when an enquiry was made.
It was gathered that since the police officers were used to the officer, they considered him authorised to collect the money, which is why they allowed him to do so. Since the news broke, the issue is said to be a hot topic among officials who wondered whether they would be able to recover their money.

The officer is also said to have vanished with the government vehicle which is often used for court errands as well as transporting personnel.
However, officials have now resorted to using own vehicles, even for court duties.
Some of the court officials who were asked about the matter were reluctant to speak about it but did not hide their shock while sympathising with the official, whom they described as very helpful person.

Confirmed

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the incident.
Vilakati was initially asked about a figure of E68 000, as mentioned by some of the officials, but she said the amount was E45 000 according to the police.
She further highlighted that the money was not actually literally stolen from the police but was taken away by the person who normally deposited it.

Vilakati also said the matter had been reported to the police and that a government vehicle was also missing. She said police officers were looking for the court staff member as well as the government vehicle, which was reported missing.

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