SOSHANGUVE police have launched a manhunt for criminals who bombed an ATM at the Batho Plaza in Block SS Soshanguve (Jukulyn) on Wednesday, 7 February.
According to police spokesman Mavela Masondo, security guards heard an explosion near the shopping centre and went outside to investigate. Further investigation showed that the suspects had cut the fence at the back of the premises to gain entry to blast the Easy Pay ATM.
"No injuries were reported, and the police investigation is continuing," Masondo said.
The shopping centre was open, but certain areas of the complex were closed to the public due to ATM malfunction.
Katlego Molefe (34), who lives opposite the plaza, told Daily Sun that he heard the explosion after the cash machine blew up.
He added that the suspects fired warning bullets before fleeing the crime scene.
"It wasn't the first time an ATM has been bombed. Robbers usually bomb ATMs around Easter, spring, and the holidays, not this time of year," he explained.
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He went on to say that the ATM bombing didn't affect local communities and that they were only inconvenienced because stores were closed.
"Many people claim that these crimes are "inside job". It appears to be true because there was a team of security workers, and it's unlikely they wouldn't have heard any movement before the explosion," said Molefe.
A security guard who was on night shift at the mall stated that the car used by the suspects was parked outside the mall and, that it had tinted windows and that the ATM bombers were highly armed.
He added that during their night patrol at the complex, they didn't suspect any criminal activity until they heard an explosion.
"There was nothing we could do but sit for the criminaals to finish what they started without interfering because we didn't have guns, and we were also fearing for our own lives," the security guard said.
