Two suspected ATM bombers nabbed by Mpumalanga SAPS
The men were arrested following a joint operation by various law enforcement agencies in the province. The police believe they might have been involved in several other ATM bombings and CIT heists.
Two alleged ATM bombers are due to appear in the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court today, January 12, after they were found in possession of a pistol, some explosives and a large number of ammunition for rifles and pistols.
A statement by a provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Donald Mdhluli, said these suspects were arrested following an investigation by a multidisciplinary police team comprised of the Ehlanzeni Crime Intelligence Task Team, the White River Flying Squad and the Tonga and White River K9 Unit.
The suspects, aged 38 and 42, are believed to have been involved in incidents of ATM bombings and cash-in-transit heists.
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Mdhluli said Mpumalanga has had several incidents in which suspects attacked various business premises, mostly fuel stations, where explosives were detonated to get to the cash in drop safes and ATMs.
“Under the leadership of the provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela, a team of experts was assembled to deal with this situation with a hope to arrest the perpetrators. The team is working around the clock to effect more arrests. The police believe that the arrested suspects could have been responsible for a string of business robberies in areas like Tonga, Pienaar, Nhlazatshe, Acornhoek, KaNyamazane, Schoemansdal and Kamhlushwa,” said Mdhluli.
“In one of the incidents, one person was killed during an ATM bombing in Kamhlushwa in October.”
He said the two suspects were cornered in Mzinti and Masibekela respectively, near Komatipoort. “During their arrest, a Glock 9mm pistol with one magazine and 26 live rounds of ammunition, four live rounds of ammunition for a R5 assault rifle, an explosive charger box as well as explosive wires were found in their possession.
“The police cannot rule out the possibility that the suspects might be linked to other cases, and we anticipate making more arrests as the investigation continues,” he said.
