Heavily armed tsotsis bomb ATMs, leaves with Zaka!

THE rapidly growing number of ATM bombings across the Eastern Free State has become a serious concern, with criminals continually continuing to target cash machines in different towns and communities.

The latest violent incident occurred in the Phuthaditjhaba Central Business District (CBD) on Friday, 16 October, when two ATMs were bombed, raising fresh, urgent concerns about the overall safety of residents, businesses, and security personnel in the area.

The latest brazen attack comes just days after an ATM was bombed in Moemaneng, Marquard, while other similar incidents were reported at the Naledi Mall in Phuthaditjhaba and Kestell last month in September.

The ongoing attacks have raised serious questions about the effectiveness of current measures to prevent ATM bombings and whether more urgently needs to be done to physically protect banking facilities and surrounding businesses.

Phuthaditjhaba community leader, Motswahae Seruwe, said the violent bombing of ATMs often causes extensive structural damage to buildings and nearby properties, while also heavily putting the lives of security guards, residents, and people working in surrounding businesses at risk.

It is very frightening to hear such a shocking explosion in the middle of the night. Our lives are in danger, and the lives of security officers who are on duty protecting these premises are also at risk. We cannot continue living in fear every time it gets past midnight. We are calling on the police to increase their visibility and patrols, especially around the CBD and other vulnerable areas, to protect our communities and prevent these criminals from putting innocent lives at risk, he said.

The latest destructive incidents have significantly added to growing concerns about the security situation in the town’s highly busy business district, where financial institutions and other businesses currently serve hundreds of people daily.

The use of explosives during such attacks can also leave business owners facing costly repairs, disrupt trading activities and create fear among community members who rely on these facilities for their everyday banking needs, said local community member Mosele Mofokeng.

Police spokesman, Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring, has officially confirmed that a private security officer was shot and injured while sitting in a car near the active scene where an ATM was bombed in the Phuthaditjhaba CBD.

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A security officer was inside a vehicle recording kilometre readings when he was confronted by two-armed suspects. The suspects shot him on the hip and arm before two ATMs were bombed with explosives. It’s reported that 11 suspects fled the scene with two bags believed to contain an undisclosed amount of cash. The injured security officer was transported to hospital for medical treatment, and his firearm was reportedly stolen during the incident, Mophiring said.

Mophiring further explained that the ongoing investigations into the latest incidents will be heavily important in establishing exactly how the attacks were carried out, actively identifying the suspects, and officially determining whether the cases are directly connected.