A Germiston man in his late 20s was arrested on Thursday night for making false claims of having planted a bomb in a pub, and saying he was responsible for one of the Soweto bomb blasts in the
early hours of Wednesday morning.
Gauteng police representative Director Henriette Bester said the man, Michael John Smith, could not be linked to the Soweto explosions blasts. She said Smith had phoned the claims in to the police, who had traced the call.
His flat was searched, and no explosives were found. She said a newspaper report of an explosive device being found in the Maxies Pool & Pub was incorrect. A metal pipe was found, but no pipe bomb or explosives.
Beeld reported that the man ran into the pub with tears in his eyes and exclaimed that there was a bomb in the establishment. The venue’s owner Albert Piater handcuffed the man and called the police, the paper reported.
Smith will appear in Germiston Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Bester said heavy fines and sentences could be imposed under the Explosives Act. She called on the public not to make irresponsible claims, and said hoaxers would be dealt with firmly. – Sapa