"It is important for residents to be extremely cautious of helpers or domestic workers that they employ in their houses."
"Failure to do so could result in huge losses and even endanger their lives or that of their families."
This is according to Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe, who was reacting to an incident in Mbombela, where a certain woman almost became a victim of fraud and/or kidnap recently.
According to the woman, she received a tipoff from someone who alleged that her helper was working with other people to steal her identity and other valuable information.
She was doing that with a view of using it later to scam the family.
The woman stated that she received a call from someone who was adamant that the helper has already given away her valuable information to someone who would later use it for criminal purposes.
The helper in question is a foreign national staying around Kabokweni.
The earlier investigation revealed that the helper has indeed compromised information about the woman and her family.
Her passport details, banking information and daily routine among others, were already given away.
The woman confirmed the tipoff she received on the impeding robbery after probing the helper's cellphone.
The woman has since been arrested and the police are investigating.
"We are appealing to communities to be wary of syndicates who use helpers to target prominent people in order to scam them out of money or stage residential robberies."
"Those who hire foreign nationals must ensure that such people are properly documented. They should also be monitored to avoid becoming victims of crime.
" Thorough background checks should be made on people we hire in our houses whether they are local or foreign nationals. Where possible, people should use employment agencies to source helpers."
"Our communities must report any suspicious activities to the police for investigation," Shongwe stated.
Meanwhile, the MEC further advised social clubs members to use the police when they share monies at the end of the year.
He mentioned that over the years, the police have been inundated with complaints of people who have been robbed of huge amounts of money by criminals.
He further advised them to avoid carrying large sums of cash but to rather share the dividends by doing electronic transfers.
Ends.
Issued by Mpumalanga Department of Community, Security, and Liaison
Enquiries: Moeti Mmusi
Cell: 079 291 0664
Or Kingdom Mabuza
082 350 7677