LIMPOPO – Police in Limpopo have arrested a 50-year-old man believed to be part of a notorious syndicate behind a string of ATM bombings that terrorised communities across the province between 2023 and 2024.

The suspect was arrested in Stinkwater, Hammanskraal, on Monday night (October 6) during an intelligence-driven operation conducted by the Provincial Tracking Team.

The operation forms part of an ongoing effort to trace the remaining suspects linked to the syndicate.

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This brings the total number of arrests to ten, following a series of coordinated police operations earlier this year.

A string of violent attacks

The syndicate is believed to be behind several ATM bombings in Bolobedu and Giyani in March 2025.

On March 7, a group of armed men stormed a fuel station in Morudji Village, holding employees at gunpoint before bombing an ATM.

Fortunately, no money was taken as the machine was empty.

Just a day later, on March 8, the same group targeted another ATM in the Giyani policing area, stealing an undisclosed amount of cash.

Police responding to the scene were met with gunfire, prompting a shootout.

The suspects abandoned one of their getaway vehicles, a silver sedan, which was later confiscated for forensic analysis.

In the early hours of March 9, acting on intelligence, police intercepted the gang near Mall of the North in Polokwane, seizing explosives, two unlicensed firearms, 33 rounds of ammunition, and dye-stained cash believed to be proceeds from the robberies.

Read more: Nine ATM bombing suspects arrested in Polokwane

Nine suspects, four South African nationals and five undocumented foreign nationals were arrested during that operation.

Court proceedings and investigation

The Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said the tenth suspect, arrested this week, is expected to appear before the Tiyani Magistrate’s Court today (October 8) and faces multiple charges, including:

• Possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition

• Possession of explosives

• Possession of dye-stained cash

• Contravention of the Immigration Act (for foreign nationals)

“Police investigations are ongoing and more arrests are expected as the operation continues,” his statement read.