In a significant development, a task team formed to track and arrest individuals responsible for a series of ATM bombings in Limpopo province achieved a breakthrough by apprehending 10 suspects, aged between 24 and 30.
Notorious Limpopo ATM bombing syndicate nabbed
The operation, named “Operation Take Down,” began on Monday, 15 May 2023, in Gauteng province and involved the seizure of vehicles, firearms, and explosives.
The arrest of these suspects comes after a spate of business robberies, specifically targeting filling stations in the Capricorn, Sekhukhune, and Mopani districts.
The perpetrators, armed with heavy weaponry, attacked these establishments and used explosives to gain access to cash from drop-in-safes and ATMs.
In response, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, activated a task team consisting of highly skilled investigators to pursue the culprits, leading to this significant breakthrough.
The multi-disciplinary police team involved in the operation comprised the Limpopo Provincial Tracking Team, the Murder and Robbery Unit, the Organised Crime Unit, and the Flying Squad, and received support from the Gauteng LCRC, as well as assistance from a private security and investigation company.
The suspects were positively linked to 10 cases, including the most recent ATM bombing that occurred on Tuesday, 16 May 2023, in Ga-Mashashane outside Polokwane.
During the incident, a shootout ensued between the suspects and security guards. Authorities managed to corner the suspects in various locations, including Soweto, Randfontein, Mabopane, and Orange Farm.
Upon arrest, the suspects were found in possession of dye-stained banknotes, explosives, three firearms, 18 live rounds of ammunition, and two motor vehicles.
The task team continues to work tirelessly to make further arrests, as it is believed that the apprehended suspects may be connected to additional cases.
Expressing her satisfaction with the team’s diligent efforts, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, commended their work, which led to this major breakthrough.
Out of the nine identified suspects, it has been established that they are Lesotho nationals residing in the country illegally, while one suspect is a South African citizen.
The charges against the suspects include armed robbery, ATM bombing, possession of dye-stained money, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, possession of explosives, as well as contravention of the immigration act.
They will appear before the respective Magistrate’s Courts in due course.