Johannesburg: The South African Police Service (SAPS) is urging men and women to be extra vigilant when going out to various places of entertainment as the country ushers in the New Year. The SAPS has picked up on a modus operandi that is being utilised by syndicates to rob mainly men of their belongings.
According to South African Government News Agency, the SAPS has noted several reported cases across the country, particularly in Gauteng and the North West, where men who leave with women from drinking places become victims of robbery or, in some cases, murder. With New Year's Eve celebrations approaching, the police have identified syndicates using young women to target men in clubs, taverns, concerts, and other alcohol-serving establishments.
The spokesperson for SAPS, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, explained that the syndicate monitors the movements of these women, helping them find potential targets inside the venues. Once a target is identified, the women approach, often promising to leave with the unsuspecting victim to another drinking place, their home, a hotel, or a guesthouse. During this period, the women frequently spike the men's drinks, leading to robbery or, in unfortunate cases, fatalities due to overdose.
Men are advised to remain vigilant and avoid becoming targets at these venues. Mathe strongly cautions against leaving with strangers from drinking outlets, as these activities can lead to severe consequences.
Additionally, SAPS is warning women not to engage in such criminal activities, highlighting the risk of arrest and personal victimization. Numerous cases have been reported nationwide where women have been raped, assaulted, or found dead after visiting taverns, shebeens, nightclubs, and other recreational places. Some women fall victim after being picked up by strangers, while others encounter violence from intimate partners or acquaintances.
The SAPS emphasizes that spiking drinks is a serious crime with severe physical and psychological repercussions, regardless of the victim's gender.
To ensure safety, SAPS has issued several tips: go out with trusted friends, share plans with someone reliable, avoid leaving drinks unattended, limit alcohol intake, and ensure proper transportation to avoid legal troubles related to drunken driving.
With these warnings, SAPS urges everyone to remain vigilant, avoid carrying large sums of money, refrain from drinking and driving, and stay alert, as law enforcement agencies work to maintain public safety.