Update, 30 November 2016 at 2.30pm
Tintswalo Property Group has released a statement which said, “The owners and management of Lonehill, Carlswald and Crowthorne shopping centres have once again been victim to an act of cybercrime.
“They have been actively working to apprehend the vicious and malicious persons responsible for the continuous death threats and bomb threats affecting, not only our local community, but at least four other individuals or groups who have received similar threats around the country, and 14 other related and unrelated assets have had multiple bomb threats from the same email addresses.”
Tinstwalo is trying to resolve this matter by:
- Each centre has had a permanent patrol of sniffer dogs
- Fidelity Security has been primed and practised reaction times and procedures
- Serious crimes and police are involved in the investigation on a continuous basis
- Cybercrime investigator specialists have been working tirelessly
- International cybercrimes departments have been actively involved
- Continuous face-to-face communication with tenants and key stakeholders.
“It is evident that the perpetrators are extremely sophisticated and coordinated in their abilities to manipulate the world of cybercrime and their intent is, obviously, extortion. Cyberterrorism has become a massive criminal element globally and is most certainly becoming more evident within South Africa,” concluded Tintswalo.
Update on 29 November, 5pm
Tintswalo Property Group has confirmed that, “At 15:44 Crowthorne Shopping Centre has been declared safe by the bomb squad and all tenants are currently busy re- opening their stores and at 16:06 Carlswald Lifestyle Shopping Centre was  declared safe and they are opening again for trade.”
The group said they do not have any further details on the investigation but will provide more information once it becomes available from police.
Initial Story, 29 November at 2pm
According to the Lonehill Residents Association Facebook Page, a bomb threat has been received at Lonehill Shopping Centre and Lonehill Boulevard has been closed to traffic.
Fourways Community Policing Forum chairperson Jeann Bedoux confirmed that there is a bomb threat was received and the centre had been evacuated. He added, “The Johannesburg bomb disposal unit is on the way and all surrounding roads are closed and traffic is being diverted.”
At the same time, another bomb threat has been reported at Carlswald Lifestyle Shopping Centre.
This is a developing story, we will keep you updated.
Read also BREAKING NEWS: Bomb threat at Lonehill Shopping centre
Read also Another bomb scare: Lonehill Shopping Centre
Read also UPDATE: Police declare shopping centres safe
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