Share

FNB in talks to reimburse victims of safety box heist

Johannesburg – FNB plans to reimburse customers for the costs incurred following the loss of their possessions in robberies where their safety boxes were stolen late last year.

In a statement on Thursday FNB said that the bank would assist customers by covering the costs of replacing documents such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, passports and identity documents.

The bank will also assist where customers had to pay excess for claims that were successfully submitted to insurance companies.

Were you affected by this heist? Tell us what you think about FNB's plan to reimburse customers by clicking here.

Although FNB said it is not legally obligated to do so, the bank will also initiate settlement discussions for uninsured Randburg, Parktown and Sunnypark customers whose safety boxes were tampered with.

“In spite of the ongoing independent and criminal investigations, we hope that this proactive gesture will go some way to limiting the negative impact on our customers,” stated FNB CEO Jacques Celliers.

The outcome of settlement discussions depends on customers providing evidence for the contents of their safety deposit boxes, said FNB.

The bank could not confirm a timeline for the completion of the settlements. FNB would not comment on the police investigation, which is ongoing, but the bank is working with the South African Police Services and the Organised Crime Unit.

So far three employees at its Parktown branch have been suspended.

READ: 250 FNB heist deposit boxes recovered... but they’re mostly empty

The first heist took place on December 18 2016, where more than 300 safety deposit boxes were stolen from the Randburg branch. Two days later, a tip-off led police to discover 250 boxes in a field near the FNB stadium in the south of Johannesburg.

Another burglary took place on New Year’s Eve at its Parktown branch. Two bank vaults were opened and R1.7m and valuables which were inside 30 safety deposit boxes were stolen.

ALSO READ: FNB safety deposit boxes targeted in New Year's Eve burglary

Earlier this year a banner labelling FNB as “Flippen Negligent Bankers" was placed on a bridge along the N1 highway, in Johannesburg.

The banner had defaced the FNB logo with an AK-47 instead of the Acacia tree. The use of the rifle suggested that the banner is linked to reports of burglaries at FNB branches targeting safety deposit boxes.

Customers impacted by the heists are encouraged to submit their information via safecustodyhelp@fnb.co.za.

Read Fin24's top stories trending on Twitter:

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.97
-0.3%
Rand - Pound
23.97
-0.3%
Rand - Euro
20.48
-0.1%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.36
-0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.4%
Platinum
911.60
+1.6%
Palladium
1,012.97
+1.1%
Gold
2,214.54
+0.9%
Silver
24.90
+1.0%
Brent-ruolie
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.9%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.9%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders