Authorities have confirmed that a bomb was planted outside the Westonaria Local Municipality building on 28 September.
The bomb was made up of water gel blasting cartridges and shock tubes, and was apparently powerful enough to blow up the entire building. However, authorities cannot confirm whether this incident is linked to recent violent service delivery protests in the area, where residents have demanded the removal from office of Westonaria Executive Mayor, Nonkoliso Tundzi and her entire management team.
According to Westonaria Local Municipality Executive Mayor Nonkoliso Tundzi, fortunately a security officer stationed at the building spotted the explosives and immediately notified the police and the West Rand Explositve Unit who rushed to the premises and deactivated it.
“The council is shocked and outraged at the planting of a bomb outside our offices.
“Should the bomb have denoted, it would have destroyed the building and injured or killed people who were at work.
“People need to know that such actions do not have a place in a democratic country like ours and we will not tolerate it.
“This is a pure criminal act,” says Tundzi.
Investigations into the incident are under way and Tundzi is adamant that the long arm of the law will catch up with those responsible.
Meanwhile, the Herald can confirm that this follows a string of recent protest actions where residents vowed to intensify their efforts in a bid to have Tundzi replaced.
On 27 September the Herald was informed that residents were planning to disrupt the annual Go West! festival, however, no disruptions were recorded at the event.
Westonaria SAPS spokesperson Thembi Masango has confirmed the botched bombing incident and says that no arrests have been made thus far.
Watch this space as the story develops.
