Two people were arrested in Birch Acres in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni, on Friday for being in possession of explosives.

According to Norkem Park SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Barbara-Anne Ferreira, officers received information regarding the location of explosives used in ATM bombings.

The information led officers to a house in Birch Acres.

On arrival at the property, officers interviewed a 40-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman before searching for the house.

“Thirty-four blasting cartridges with electric detonators were found on the property. Officers also recovered dye-stained money at the house,” she says.

The suspects were arrested and detained at Norkem Park Police Station while an investigation was conducted. They will appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court.

Kempton Park was rocked by two ATM bombings on July 9 and 10.

On July 10, police responded to an ATM bombing and robbery at the Engen garage on Parkland Drive in Ester Park.

According to Sebenza SAPS spokesperson Sargent Sharon Tsotsotso, the incident occurred shortly before 02:00.

“At the time, the 26-year-old cashier and one other person were inside the convenience store at the Engen garage.

“The cashier heard a knock at the locked doors and noticed two men standing [there],” she says.

Tsotsotso says one man was holding rifle and the other a pistol, and they instructed the cashier to open the doors.

“When the cashier opened the doors the two men and three others entered the store.

“The two victims were told to lie on the ground while explosives were used to gain access to the in-store ATM and drop safe,” she says.

Two petrol attendants locked themselves in an outside kiosk during the ordeal.

“The five suspects fled with an undisclosed amount of money and cigarettes.”

In a separate incident on July 9, a 28-year-old woman was held hostage while three men bombed an ATM and robbed a petrol station on Zuurfontein Road in Spartan.

According to Tsotsotso, the incident occurred shortly before 01:00.

“The victim was working as a cashier inside the garage when she heard glass breaking.

“Three men entered the store. Two of them were armed with a rifle and a pistol,” says Tsotsotso.

She adds that the men demanded that the victim hand over her cellphone and kept her hostage while blasting open the in-store drop safe and ATM.

“During the incident, a newspaper delivery driver arrived at the scene.

“One of the suspects shot at him damaging the window of his vehicle,” says Tsotsotso.

No injuries were reported.

The suspects fled the scene with three cellphones, cigarettes and an undisclosed amount of money.