HARDLY a day after operation O Kae Molao, another ATM has been bombed.
And, thugs bombed one not far from where the police were holding a roadblock in Tsakane, Ekurhuleni, on Thursday, 17 November.
The bombers, armed with powerful explosives, wrecked the Nedbank ATM at a Shell garage and then collected almost every note.
According to a bystander, it looked like the thugs knew that the ATM had been loaded in the afternoon.
They got away with a large amount of money, and
cops were now on their heels.
One officer, who asked not to be named, said ATM bombings occurred daily and four or more could be hit in a day. And, these thugs were elusive.
“We wish ATM bombings could be highlighted more in the media so we can get information to bust this syndicate. The bombing is at the highest rate,” he said.
One bystander said just yesterday, cops were holding a roadblock near the ATM.
“It looks like thugs were showing the police a middle finger. They are trying to show cops that they are calling the shots, but it will catch up with them soon.”
Some motorists, who wanted to fill up their cars or withdraw cash, had to be turned away.
Garage workers said those who were on night shift were locked in a toilet while robbers planted explosives in the machine.
“They said the noise was so nerve-racking it left them traumatised. They also said this was a second bombing.”
The South African Banking Risk Information Centre said it was worried about the rising ATM bombings. It said last year, attacks increased by 11% with a 17% increase in losses. It added that incidents where explosives were used had increased by 15% and despite the technology and security measures deployed to make ATMs safer, they were still getting bombed.
"It is reported that a gang of about 20 armed males traveling with four sedans and one Quantum minibus stormed into a petrol station in Tsakane in the early hours of Friday, 18 November 2022, and held the employees at gunpoint before bombing an ATM. It is alleged that an undisclosed amount of cash was taken and no injuries were reported," the police said in a statement.
