The Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) North East Corridor depot received a report from the Nelspruit police early yesterday morning warning about a possible bomb at its depot.

The head of security at Transnet Freight Rail in Mbombela, Sipho Ngomane, says after they received the information the Bomb Squad, paramedics and fire brigade were summoned to the scene. A search was conducted, but they did not find a bomb.

However, as a precaution, all Mbombela-based employees were urged to vacate the depot and work at the nearest TFR offices until further notice.

“Despite this unplanned emergency we called on all to ensure that critical tasks were still undertaken safely. Given our volume and operational commitments, employee safety is a cornerstone of TFR,” says Ngomane.

Nelspruit police spokesperson Constable Bongani Mokoena confirmed that there was a bomb threat at the Mbombela TFR.

“The Nelspruit SAPS received the bomb threat at control 10111 from an unknown man informing them [of] a bomb at Transnet. The Bomb Squad and local police attended the scene. Led by the Transnet security officers, they searched the area where it was alleged that the bomb was placed. After a careful search they discovered nothing was planted,” says Mokoena.

He also says that after the search, they informed Transnet employees that there was no bomb and they could return to their workplaces.