Bank searched for explosive device
The Nedbank building was also evacuated for safety reasons. Moela said the bomb squad did a proper inspection of the building and the threat was eliminated.
LYDENBURG – Standard Bank in Voortrekker Street received a threat about a possible bomb in the building just after 10:00 on Wednesday.
Capt Alfred Moela, SAPS spokesman, confirmed the incident and said police were on high alert on the scene. “We waited for the bomb squad from Mbombela to come and do a sweep of the entire building.”
According to Deon Broekman, hazmat operator, he received a call from a client in the bank right after the threat was made via a telephone call.
The employee said she received the threat about 20 minutes before evacuation started. The building was evacuated and sealed off by the local police, traffic, and the hazmat team.
The Nedbank building was also evacuated for safety reasons. Moela said the bomb squad did a proper inspection of the building and the threat was eliminated.
“We suspect that not only was the police’s reaction time tested, but that the threat might have been a diversion to commit other crimes in town. We, however, dispatched officers to do a patrol of the whole town when the call came through.” Residents were urged to stay clear of the scene until the bomb squad had finished their inspection.
After no threat was detected, the road was reopened.
