LIMPOPO – Two women and a man have been arrested after the Saps Provincial Tracking Team led an intelligence driven joint operation soon after an ATM bombing took place in the early hours of this morning.

The bombing took place at Mahlakung Mall at Ga-Sekororo village in the Maake policing area outside Tzaneen, confirmed Police Spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe. 

“It is alleged that a group of about 10 suspects entered the premises and one of them pointed a firearm at a security officer who was on duty. They covered the security guard’s face with a cloth and forced him to the ATMs. They blasted two of the ATMs and drop safes and proceeded to a cellphone store, where they blasted another drop safe,” Ngoepe explained.

The bombers fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash and police as well as Letaba Security and Hoedspruit Farm Watch, started tracing them.

“Two women and a man were arrested at a house in Worcester village, a few kilometers from the crime scene. Police confiscated explosives believed to have been used during the blasts, as well as two getaway vehicles (two sedans), balaclavas and hand gloves,” Ngoepe said.

Anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects, are urged to contact Lt Col Richard Boshomane at 079 894 5501, Det Serg Phaladi Makola at 082 749 2233, the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or on the MySAPS App.

Ngoepe said the three suspects are expected to appear before the Lenyenye Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of ATM bombing and the Contravention of the Explosives Act.

Police investigations are still continuing.