Woman robbed R61K by Men impersonating police in Polokwane
A woman from Botlokwa was allegedly robbed of R61 000 by men impersonating police officials in the Polokwane CBD on Friday, 21 August.
The victim was allegedly approached on Landdros Mare Street by a man who falsely claimed that someone was attempting to scam her money using what appeared to be traditional medicine. Two other men then allegedly approached her, impersonated police officials and offered to assist her.
The suspects claimed to be taking the victim to Polokwane Police Station, however, they only went into the Community Service Center and immediately came back and they questioned her about money in her bank accounts.
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After she disclosed that she had substantial funds in two accounts, they allegedly convinced her to withdraw money to protect it from the supposed scam.
She was taken to Savannah Mall, where she withdrew R61 000, which was allegedly placed in an envelope.
The suspects then accompanied her to another bank branch, where she was unable to withdraw the remaining funds because an appointment was required. She made an appointment to return the following day.
The suspects allegedly assured her that the R61 000 would be kept safely at the police station. On Saturday, 22 August 2026, the victim returned to the police station with her children to enquire about the alleged officials and her money, only to discover that she had been robbed and that the men were not police officials.
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An investigation linked the suspects to the Mahwelereng area outside Mokopane. During an intelligence-led tactical operation, the suspects were spotted travelling in a white Toyota Vitz along Landros Mare Street near an Engen garage.
They allegedly attempted to evade police when stopped, resulting in a pursuit. The suspects were subsequently cornered and arrested near Polokwane Provincial Hospital. The vehicle was confiscated for further investigation.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects may be operating in areas including Bela-Bela, Modimolle, Lephalale and Polokwane. Investigations are continuing to establish whether they can be linked to other similar cases.
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The suspects are expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 24 August 2026, facing charges of robbery and impersonating police officials. Additional charges may be added as the investigation progresses.
The Provincial Commissioner of SAPS in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Jan Petrus Scheepers, welcomed the swift arrests and commended the detectives for the successful intelligence-led operation.
Lieutenant General Scheepers warned members of the public to remain vigilant and never hand over cash, bank cards or banking information to persons claiming to be police officials without first verifying their identities.
The Provincial Commissioner further appealed to any other victims who may have fallen victim to the same modus operandi to come forward and report their cases to the police. Such information could assist investigators in linking the suspects to other crimes.
Members of the public are reminded that legitimate police officials will never instruct victims to withdraw money and hand it over to them for “safekeeping” or to prevent an alleged scam.
