Ballito shopping centre bomb scare

Lunchtime shopping and meals at restaurants were dramatically interrupted by a bomb scare at Ballito Junction at about 1pm today.

The entire mall was immediately evacuated while emergency services sped to Ballito Junction and entry and exit roads were closed.

“A note was found in one of the malls’ bathrooms alerting mall management to the threat,” said IPSS Medical Rescue‘s Paul Herbst.

“Bomb disposal units from both King Shaka International Airport and Durban police and the K9 dog unit swept the area to check for a bomb.

Meals were left uneaten as restaurant customers left their tables in a hurry. Except for a few savvy patrons who took their milkshakes with them.

Piccadeli cafe manager Erica Poppmeier received an sms from a customer: “Hope you are ok. We owe you two glasses and payment.”

Tony Agrela owner of Mama G’s said pizzas were left in the oven and they were serving about eight tables when the police arrived to evacuate everyone from the building.

“We will have to do damage control when we return,” he said.

Mall staff were well prepared for the evacuation which went smoothly  according to Poppmeier as mall management had held a fire drill on Friday.

Sergeant Cecil Sanele Dlamini from the K9 unit told The North Coast Courier that nothing had been found.

At 2.30pm the all-clear was given.

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