Popular Tavern will be missed

UPDATE: 24 June, 3pm:

Taxi drivers at the Midrand taxi rank often frequented the place and bought their lunch there. One of the drivers, Mxoliseni Buthelezi said Ipi Tombi was like a home to him. “Our taxis park in front of where Ipi Tombi was, we used to buy food from them.”

Langa Mncube, a hawker at the taxi rank said she keeps looking over at the ruins in shock. “I cannot believe that place is gone.”

Musa Sikhosana said, “The place is known for a lot of things, so yes, I am sure other people will miss it. It was not my style.”

Ipi Tombi owner Oozi Bettencourt said he does not know what caused the explosion. He stood by on 23 June as police investigated the cause of the explosion that ruined his business.

“All I am left with now is picking up the pieces of my business,” he lamented.

Residents said the business had been part of the Midrand community for its almost 17 years of existence. Many men and women daily frequented the place to buy alcohol, eat and socialise.

UPDATE: 24 June, 11.30am:

Captain Augustinah Selepe from Gauteng Provincial Police Department said, “We are still investigating in terms of the Explosive Act to see if there was negligence or not following the collapse of the building.”

She added that at 2am on 23 June, police were patrolling Halfway House when they heard a loud explosion. “Upon investigation police found that the building had collapsed. Two people were injured and taken to hospital, one sustained serious injuries but is in a stable condition.”

The Explosive Unit and South African Police Service are at the scene on the corner of Market and Kerk streets for further investigation again today.

The building is still considered unsafe, and curious on-lookers are not allowed close to it.

UPDATE: 23 June, 12pm:

Midrand police and the provincial police department responded to the aftermath of an ATM bombing on corner Market Street and Kerk Street in Midrand at 2am on 23 June.

Police could not comment on what exactly happened and said details of the explosion would be released later in the day.

The explosion also extensively damaged the famous Iphi Ntombi Tavern. An employee of the tavern, Malibongwe Zondo said, “Who would destroy Ipi Tombi? That place was well known in Midrand.” His colleague, Themba Ngubane was also in shock.

The owner of Ipi Tombi, Oozi Bettencourt was at the scene and said, “I have no idea what happened, but now I am left with picking up the pieces of what was once my business.”

It is reported that four people who lived behind the building were injured. Midrand police could not confirm this.

23 June, 9am:

The tavern by Midrand Taxi Rank, Ipi Tombi collapsed but police are still unsure of the cause and said that until a full investigation had been conducted they could not speculate on what happened.

Midrand Reporter‘s journalist Nokuthula Sonile is on the scene.

Netcare911 tweeted that two were injured in the collapse.

While trying to find out what happened, Midrand Reporter‘s social media sites were abuzz with community members sharing what they heard and felt.

Midrand Reporter‘s BBM user Esmeralda Kerlen who lives in President Park said there was a big bang and “shockwave”. “My first thought was I hope whatever explosded does not contain nasty fumes.”

Anton, who also lives in President Park said, there as “an almighty bang”. He believed it was an explosion. “I can’t see a building collapse make such a loud explosion nose,” he said. He appealed to the community to be on the lookout for an Emu, which ran away from his property at the sound of the explosion.

Angel, who lives in Halfway Gardens close to Midrand High School said she also heard a noise and she thought someone was breaking into one of the houses in her complex as she heard windows breaking. “My home was vibrating and my windows were shaking. I just hope no one got hurt in the building [collapse].”

Vusi Ngqwababa said he thought it was an electric cable that exploded or a bomb.

Shazia said, “My husband and I heard the sound last night. We got up with a fright and felt a slight tremor. We thought it might be a small earthquake.”