/ 8 July 2008

Gauteng hit by spate of ATM bombings

Five ATMs have been blown up in separate incidents in Gauteng during the early hours of Tuesday morning, police said.

The first four bombings happened in the Kempton Park CBD, where five armed robbers blew up four ATMs, taking an undisclosed amount of money, said spokesperson Captain Jethro Mtshali.

Meanwhile, in Elspark on the East Rand, 15 robbers armed with automatic rifles held up and disarmed a security guard before blowing open an Absa ATM. Boksburg police spokesperson Sasa Lengene said the robbers fled with two money boxes.

Cases of malicious damage to property and dealing in explosives were opened in both incidents.

Anyone with information about the robberies was urged to call 08600 10111.

Police have reported more than 40 ATM bombings countrywide since April this year. — Sapa