Carlo Petersen
POLICE have refused to say whether explosives used to blast a Parklands shop safe were the same used in bombings around the city.
Yesterday, a drop safe belonging to Baby City in Parklands was bombed at 3am. An undisclosed amount of cash was taken.
On September 4, bombs exploded outside a Woolworths branch and a car dealership in Athlone.
The Western Cape police’s annual report released earlier this year revealed that components of the explosive devices used originated from the gold or platinum mining sectors.
“Individuals within the identified groups are suspected to have links with individuals that have access to the components making up the explosive devices,” the report said.
Yesterday, police spokesman Frederick van Wyk said: “Police cannot reveal what types of bombs are being used for these crimes. The explosive devices are recovered and analysed, and the findings are used to solve investigations. That is all I can say.”
On the incident in Parklands, he added: “Table View police officers received a complaint at 3am on Thursday morning of an alleged bombing at a shop on the corner of Parklands Main and Redcliff Road in Parklands. On arrival they found the drop safe damaged. A case of house-breaking at the business was opened for investigation.”
Van Wyk said no one was injured during the incident and no arrests had been made.
“It is uncertain if the suspects managed to flee with any cash. However, this will be established at a later stage by the financial institution affected.”
Speaking to the Cape Times yesterday morning, Baby City area manager Johan Maree said: “We are busy working with the police. The drop safe was bombed overnight.
“The damage to the store is minimal, but the money is gone. Whether it all went up in smoke or was stolen remains to be seen.
“We are just happy nobody has been injured.”