They were heavily-armed, highly-organised and dangerous – but got away empty-handed.
The ATM bombers, whose military-style planning saw the destruction of three ATMs at the Nquthu Plaza in the early hours of Heritage Day, were rewarded with no money.
But they did shoot at a police patrol van – the policeman who was driving was fortunate not to have been wounded or worse.
A guard was also shot at when the gang, said to number about 20, virtually surrounded the Plaza at around 3am.
The explosives wrecked two Nedbank ATMs and one Capitec ATM.
Nquthu police called for back-up from Dundee but the gang managed to evade arrest.
It is thought that they could have also been behind the bombing of an ATM in Ladysmith earlier, where they got away with ‘a small amount of cash’.
The gang was thought to have been travelling in several cars, which included one SUV and an Audi.
It is not clear when and if the ATMs will be re-opened at the Plaza.
Police denied reports that the Nquthu police station was surrounded, and that members were unable to get in or out.