/ 28 December 2006

Seven arrested for ATM blasts

Nine people have been arrested for allegedly using explosives to blow up ATMs, police said on Wednesday. Two were later released.

Gauteng police spokesperson Director Govindsamy Mariemuthoo said four suspects were arrested on Christmas day and appeared in court on Wednesday.

Five people were arrested on Wednesday evening and four of them were found to be in possession of explosives. Two were released after questioning.

In total, seven were in custody on Wednesday evening, and they would appear in court soon, Mariemuthoo said.

”The arrests will create a safer environment for members of the public who use ATMs,” said the provincial commissioner of Gauteng, Commissioner Perumal Naidoo.

In the past four months, explosives have been used on ATMs in Soweto, Vosloorus, Ga-Rankuwa and Newcastle. – Sapa