Four arrested after explosives were found at an ATM

By Khanyisa Tabata
23 August 2011

Four people have been arrested in George by the Hawk’s Organized Crime Unit after explosives were found at an ATM.

Police spokesperson Captain Bernadine Steyn says a security company attended a complaint at a takeaway shop in Mayixhale Street, Kwanongaba, after an alarm was activated and on arrival they noticed suspicious lose wires at an ATM inside the shop, and notified the police.

“A packet of commercial explosives was found on the floor in front of the ATM and on further investigation we found a device attached to more commercial explosives inside the ATM and the device was not discharged.

On the scene it was established that entry was gained through the roof of the shop.

“After a careful investigation by the Hawks four suspects were arrested early the next morning at a house in Thembalethu,” said Steyn.

She added that a Toyota Tazz allegedly used by the suspects was also found not far from the house. During the search they found more commercial explosives.

Steyn says the four men aged between 27 and 37, all from Johannesburg are expected to appear in the George Magistrates’ Court today on charges relating to the illegal possession of explosives.

“It will also be investigated if the suspects could be linked to more cases of ATM bombings in the Western Cape as well as other areas countrywide,” said Steyn.