A strong front against ATM crime: cash and illegal weaponry are seized in Limpopo, and nine individuals are detained.

 

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In what appears to be a triumph for South African police, nine suspects linked to a series of ATM bombings in the Limpopo region have been arrested. The suspects, aged between 28 and 43 years, are believed to be five undocumented foreign nationals. They were arrested along with two other people in the morning hours of Sunday after police chased down two cars on the R81 highway close to the Mall of the North in Polokwane. 

While inspecting the vehicles, the officers found explosives along with two unlicensed handguns, 33 rounds of ammunition, and cash with dye stains that are suspected to be from the bombing of the ATMs.

The two automobiles were also seized according to Limpopo police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Thakeng. “The suspects are believed to be part of a syndicate responsible for a series of ATM bombings that have terrorised the province between 2023 and 2024,” he said.

With five illegal foreign nationals and four South African citizens connected to the criminal operations, the arrests revealed the complex network of crime. The increasing difficulty of cross-border crime networks functioning within the nation is reflected in this discovery. 

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“They face multiple charges including possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of illegal explosives, possession of dye-stained money and contravention of the Immigration Act for the five undocumented foreign nationals,” he said.

In relation to their charges, they will appear before the province's magistrate courts. The arrests follow reports that on Friday, March 7, a gang of armed men stormed a gas station in Morudji Village west of Bolobedu, allegedly holding staff members at gunpoint before detonating the automated teller machine. The suspects left empty handed as the ATM was empty.

“The following day on Saturday, 8 March, the same group targeted another ATM in Giyani where an undisclosed amount of cash was stolen,” said Thakeng.

He said while fleeing, the suspects encountered police, resulting in a shoot-out.

“The suspects abandoned one of their getaway vehicles, a silver sedan before escaping on foot. Police confiscated the vehicle as evidence,” he said.

Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe commended the swift response of the police teams and their collaborative efforts in bringing the criminals to justice.

“The suspects thought they could evade justice, but our dedicated teams remained relentless in their pursuit,” she said.