BREAKING NEWS: CLICK HERE TO READ: ANOTHER BOMB SCARE: LONEHILL SHOPPING CENTRE
UPDATE: 18 October 2016, 2pm – Michelle Townsend, the Tintswalo Property portfolio manager said, “We can confirm that Crowthorne Shopping Centre received an anonymous bomb threat this morning at approximately 10:58 and acted swiftly with Fidelity Security Services and SAPS. The centre was evacuated and swept by the bomb squad. The SAPS have confirmed the centre is safe and it has been reopened as of 2 pm.”
Zoe Van Onselen, head of marketing at Fourways Mall, said, “Fourways Mall Centre Management can confirm a bomb threat was received. The SAPS and Bomb Squad were called immediately, the centre was evacuated and the specialized K-9 unit completed a full sweep of the centre. No shoppers were injured during this evacuation and the SAPS has given the centre the all clear to open for trade again. We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our shoppers, protocol is priority and was followed to ensure the safety of our customers and tenants.”
Rowan Hardy who was at the Fourways Mall when the evacuation took place, said, “I was just at the mall, chaos mayhem running through the mall screaming people not sure if armed robbery or bomb, ducking for cover in Woolworths trying to get out the back security. My nerves are shattered, I haven’t been that scared in a very long time!”
UPDATE: 18 October 2016, 13:20pm – Tintswalo Property, who owns the Crowthorne Shopping Centre has commented about the current bomb scare at the centre.
Michelle Townsend, the Tintswalo Property portfolio manager said that police are entering all shops with sniffer dogs. The centre has been evacuated. All shops have been closed off to the public and the shopping centre may re-open if police feel it is safe to do so.
Townsend further said, “At approximately 10:58 this morning. We received and anonymous email saying there was a bomb in the centre. We have taken all precautions for the public safety.”
Meanwhile, according to our journalist at the scene, Fourways Mall has been declared safe by the police and shoppers can go back to the mall.
Employees of the mall have been instructed to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity however.
Captain Mpho Kgaosane, spokesperson of Douglasdale said, “The bomb scare at Fourways Mall is negative. The bomb squad came to the center to check for signs of the bomb and found nothing. The scene however is declared safe for consumers to use.”
WATCH: Police declare the mall safe to the public –
INITIAL REPORT: 18 October 2016, 12:20pm – There are two bomb threats currently taking place, one at the Crowthorne Shopping Centre and the other at Fourways Mall.
Chairperson of the Douglasdale CPF, Jean Berdou, confirmed these threats.
He said, “There are currently two bomb scares at two different locations. Police officials and the dog unit are currently at both scenes investigating. Police have urged the public to avoid these areas and discouraged onlookers at the scene.”
He further added that this could be a hoax, as had been previous bomb scares in the Fourways area, however, nothing can be confirmed until the investigations are complete.
Gaye Dorkin who was at Fourways Mall, posted on the Fourways Review Facebook page, “Just left my half-filled trolley at Hyper 10 minutes ago and joined the mass exodus and came home.”
Crowthorne Shopping Centre is also currently being evacuated.
Click here to read more about the previous bomb scares in the area:
UPDATE: Bank declared safe by police
BREAKING NEWS: Alleged bomb scare in Dainfern
UPDATE: Lonehill Shopping Centre declared safe
The Douglasdale CPF posted the following message on their Facebook page on how to deal with a bomb scare:
BOMB THREATS – what to do:
- All centres/buildings to ensure that they have emergency/evacuation plans in place.
- Public to adhere to centre management/security and SAPS instructions if requested to evacuate.
- Take personal belongings and follow route as indicated.
- Remember that any decision to evacuate is taken with the safety of public/employers/employees in mind.
- Please be patient and allow centre/building management/centre/building security/SAPS to complete their responsibilities until area is declare safe.
Are you at either of these shopping complexes? Let us know by posting on our Facebook pages, Fourways Review or Midrand Reporter.
View some resident’s reactions to the bomb scares on twitter below:
BOMB SCARE : FOURWAYS MALL. JHB. GP.
— REZA (@crimeairnetwork) October 18, 2016
Another Fourways bomb threat.
— lovely. (@cocoMYcoco) October 18, 2016
https://twitter.com/WillRayz_/status/788336372310499329
Can anyone tell me what the hell is going on at fourways mall?
— Sam Harris (@SamzHarris) October 18, 2016
BOMB THREATS RECEIVED
There are two bomb threats currently taking place at the Crowthrone shopping centre and… https://t.co/GxBzxocsv3
— DouglasdaleCPF (@DouglasdaleCPF) October 18, 2016
As announced a short while ago… more information to follow https://t.co/2MrxvhWuun
— DouglasdaleCPF (@DouglasdaleCPF) October 18, 2016
