COPS are warning the public about a new festive season danger.
They've uncovered dangerous syndicates using young women to spike men at clubs, taverns, and concerts.
Victims are left robbed, and in some cases, dead.
As South Africans prepare to welcome the New Year, national police spokeswoman Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said cops are alarmed by a growing number of cases reported across Gauteng, North West, and other provinces.
"The SAPS has picked up on a modus operandi that is being used by syndicates to rob mainly men of their belongings," said Mathe.
According to Mathe, syndicates send young women to identify targets inside drinking establishments, before luring them away.
"These syndicates use young women to target men in clubs, taverns, concerts, and other alcohol establishments."
Once a target is identified, the women allegedly spike the men's drinks before the accomplices strike.
"During that period, these women would often spike the men's drinks. Once the victim has been spiked, the syndicate moves in to rob the victim, often taking their cars, cellphones, and money," said Mathe.
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In some tragic cases, the consequences have been fatal.
"In some unfortunate instances, some men have died as a result of an overdose of what has been used to spike them," she said.
But men are not the only victims.
Mathe said young women are also being targeted, with reports of women being raped, assaulted, or murdered after nights out.
"A number of cases have been reported nationwide of women who have been found raped, assaulted, or dead while coming back from taverns, shebeens, and nightclubs."
She said some victims leave with strangers, while others are harmed by people they know.
"Some of these women victims are found brutally assaulted and some murdered."
Mathe stressed that spiking is a serious crime, regardless of who the victim is.
"Spiking, regardless of the victim's gender, is a serious crime with severe physical and psychological consequences," she said.
Mathe urged both men and women to avoid leaving drinking venues with strangers, stay in groups, and never leave drinks unattended.
She also warned young women against being recruited into criminal syndicates.
"Women are urged not to involve themselves in criminal activity, as such often leads to an imminent arrest," she added.
