Bomb threat in Claremont shopping centre

By Anele Siwa
06 June 2008

On Thursday afternoon police received a report of a possible Bomb Threat at a Shopping Mall in Claremont.

“Initial Police investigations at the scene have established that four unknown males entered a Jewelry store in the Mall, and demanded that the owner hand over items of jewelry to them or else they will detonate a bomb which they claimed, they had in their possession,” says Angie Latchman police spokesperson.

According to Latchman after the owner refused to hand over the Jewelry, the men then left the store with the package believed to be a bomb.

“The owner of the Jewelry store immediately alerted the Centre Security and gave them a brief description of the suspects. A search conducted by the Security led to the discovery of a package at the lower basement parking area of the Mall. Security also managed to arrest four persons fitting the description given by the Jewelry store owner, in close proximity of the mall,”says Latchman.

Police say the SA Police Services Explosive Unit and Dog Unit were immediately dispatched to the scene and have subsequently confirmed that the parcel was not a bomb.

“The four persons aged between twenty three and fifty two have been arrested and charged under the Explosives Act and for Attempted Robbery,” she added.

According to Latchman the arrested persons will make a Court appearance at the Wynberg Magistrates Court on Monday 9 June 2008