The police believe they have struck a blow against ATM bombers following arrests in the North West and KwaZulu-Natal, police said on Friday.
Police spokesperson Director Sally de Beer said that on Wednesday North West police arrested six men who were linked to four cases involving explosions at ATMs in the province during July.
Three of the incidents occurred in the Phokeng station area, one at a hostel at the Bafokeng Mine, another at Freedom Park and the third at Impala Mine hostel.
In all three instances explosives were used and cash taken.
The fourth was at a petrol garage in Boitekong where an ATM was damaged, but the suspects were disturbed and ran away empty handed.
Money and explosives were recovered during the arrests and the accused have already appeared in court. They will make their next appearances on July 31 and August 13.
On July 11, in KwaZulu Natal, Pietermaritzburg detectives staking out the Zakhele shopping centre in Imbali Township, arrested two people they believed were going to blow up an ATM.
Two other people, believed to be accomplices, were killed in a pre-arrest shootout. Various firearms were recovered on the scene and those arrested were treated in hospital.
The vehicle they used was found to have been hijacked in Pinetown earlier in July. They were expected to appear in court on Friday.
In Durban, the organised crime unit arrested four men for allegedly causing an explosion at an ATM in Ashfield Avenue, Greenwood Park. They would appear in court on August 2.
Investigations in all cases could lead to further arrests or links with other cases. — Sapa