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[File image] A man in handcuffs.
Seven suspects are expected to appear soon at the Clarens and Ficksburg Magistrate’s Courts, respectively, in the Free State, following their arrests in connection with an ATM bombing at Clarens.
Police Spokesperson Mahlomola Kareli says four suspects were seen near the ATM located at a petrol station. Kareli says moments later an explosion occurred followed by gunfire.
He says preliminary investigations confirmed that explosives had been used to destroy the ATM and an undisclosed sum of money was stolen.
Kareli says police traced the suspects and their vehicle which was parked near an ATM in Ficksburg.
“The stained banknotes indicative of stolen ATM cash were recovered from all the suspects and inside the vehicle. All seven individuals, aged between 24 and 36, are foreign nationals. Four of them have been confirmed as undocumented immigrants. The blue Toyota Fortuner has been seized as evidence in the ongoing investigation. The suspects will appear in the Clarens and Ficksburg Magistrate’s Courts in due course. The Provincial Serious, Violent and Murder Unit has taken over the investigation, focusing on charges of business robbery and other possible related offenses,” says Kareli.
He says further inquiries are ongoing to determine any links to additional criminal activities and that more charges could be added.
