The Lydenburg police in Mpumalanga are investigating a case of robbery after an ATM was bombed at Net1 Financial Services at around 01:30 today.

Tech-Nofi Security officers heard an explosion in Kantoor Street, and as they drove to the area, the armed suspects allegedly started shooting at them.

The response members realised it was a bomb attack on an ATM and started to shoot back at the suspects. Several shots were fired at the suspects’ car by the response team.

According to them, a number of bullets hit one of the response vehicles, but the members stood their ground and managed to win the gunfight. When the suspects started running, the security guards kept shooting at their vehicle, striking it several times.

Backup was called and other members of Tech-Nofi assisted, while members of Sun Security also came to help.

According to Lydenburg police spokesperson Sergeant Cave Dibakoane, the police were called for backup following the explosion.

“The police chased a black BMW riddled with bullet holes in which the suspects fled after a shootout with the security guards. An undisclosed amount of cash was stolen and the suspects are still at large.

“No one has been arrested yet and the SAPS urges anyone with information that can assist with the investigation, such as the whereabouts of the suspects, to immediately contact the Lydenburg police on 087 758 1346. Alternatively, members of the public can call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or send information via the MySAPS app,” said Dibakoane.