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Brazen bombing at fuel station still under investigation – Limpopo police

Petrol attendants had to run for cover when the armed assailants openly bombed the ATMs.

LIMPOPO – A recent ATM bombing at the fuel station outside Louis Trichardt is still under investigation and the police appealed to the public to come forward with information.

An undisclosed amount of money was stolen in the early hours of October 1 after criminals blew up two ATMs at the Madombidzha fuel station.

Petrol attendants ran for cover when the armed assailants openly bombed the ATMs, took their loot and fled. According to one of the attendants, who wished to remain anonymous, the incident happened at around 01:30.

He told the media that four heavily armed men ordered him and his colleagues at gunpoint to cooperate.

“The men were wearing masks and ordered us to lie down, and that was when they blew up the ATMs. We were left shaken up and traumatised.”

Limpopo police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed the incident and said a case of malicious damage to property, unlawful use of explosives and armed robbery has been opened.

“We do not know the kind of explosives that were used to blow up the ATMs yet, but our explosives unit has already sent the findings to the forensic laboratory for tests. We will leave no stone unturned to find the perpetrators.”

No arrests have been made in connection with the robbery and investigations are still continuing. The police are appealing to anyone who might have useful information to contact the nearest police station or their toll-free number 08600 10111. Community leader Judas Mudau said that the bombing was nothing but an inconvenience to communities and especially pensioners who depend on the machines to draw their grants.

“When this happens, people are forced to fork out a R48 return fee for a taxi to Louis Trichardt and back, just to draw money. It is disgusting to see how poor communities in rural areas are being robbed of a necessary service like this because selfish thugs only worried about lining their own pockets,” said Mudau.

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