Central SA
Welkom family robbed of lobola money─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 14:49 Wed, 13 Dec 2023
“The money taken during the armed robbery was meant for lobola and had just been paid to prepare for the marriage.”
Police have sent a stern warning to public against keeping large sums of money in their homes.
A Welkom family lost all their lobola money during a house robbery in the early hours of Tuesday morning (13/12).
A couple and their children were asleep at their home in Extension 18, Hani Park, Bronville, when the husband was woken by strange noises coming from outside the house at 00:28, said Free State police spokesperson Stephen Thakeng.
He went to the kitchen to investigate where he was met by three unknown men with firearms and knives who had forcefully gained entrance through the wooden door. They demanded an undisclosed amount of cash and took cell phones valued at R4 500 and two bottles of cognac worth R1 200.
An example of a lobola ceremony. Photo: University of Groningen
The money taken during the armed robbery was meant for lobola and had just been paid to prepare for a member of the family’s wedding.
Police have opened a robbery case for further investigations.
Thakeng urged anyone with information to contact Detective Warrant Officer Charlotte Jansen on 082-301-2821 or to visit their nearest police station.
He warned the public against keeping lobola and stokvel money at their homes, and to rather use banks for transactions to curb such robberies.
