An ATM was blown up in the early hours of this morning at the Engen Blockhouse 1 Stop North filling station on the R59 northbound near Vereeniging.

Ralph Ellis, one of the owners and managing director of the filling station, said the explosion occurred at approximately 02:00. He has been involved with the filling stations on both sides of the R59 for 27 years.

Vaalweekblad reports that in addition to the ATM being destroyed, the perpetrators also broke into and damaged a safe inside the premises.

When Vaalweekblad visited the scene this morning, the extent of the destruction was evident. Windows had been shattered by the force of the blast, computer screens were broken, and debris was scattered throughout the shop. A strong smoky, burnt smell lingered in the air.

Ellis said that in his nearly three decades of involvement at the Blockhouse filling stations, this is approximately the 30th incident in which an ATM has been blown up at the site.

It is suspected that the attack forms part of a syndicate operation targeting ATMs along major transport routes.

The station has been temporarily closed and is expected to remain shut until the necessary repairs have been completed.

Klipriver police spokesperson Sergeant Thomas Ndhambi said a case of business robbery is being investigated. No arrests have yet been made.

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