DURBAN North police are investigating a case of arson after an incendiary device was discovered in a popular retail store at Gateway Theatre of Shopping on Thursday afternoon. Capt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the Durban North SAPS, confirmed the store had to be evacuated while the bomb squad attended to the scene.
“We received a call that a device was found inside the clothing department of the store and had to call in the bomb squad, who confirmed the device was actually an incendiary device. The device was designed to cause a fire. At this stage, no case has been opened but we are aware of the situation and no injuries have been reported,” he said.
Read also: Gateway gaming store robbed by armed men
In a statement, Gateway confirmed a device was found in one of the shops.
“Gateway Theatre of Shopping confirms that an incendiary device was found in a store. Authorities as well as the Centre operations team were immediately called in to assist with the matter. As a precautionary measure the store was evacuated as the safety of our shoppers and staff is of utmost importance to Gateway,” the mall said.
The mall is trading as normal.
In May, an incendiary device was found in a mosque in Verulam that was at the centre of a deadly attack that left one person dead. The device was found wrapped with a cell phone.
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