Durban - The Pinetown Standard Bank branch at the corner of Moodie Street and Dales Avenue, which had its six ATMs broken into and an undisclosed amount of cash at the weekend, is temporarily closed for repairs, said Standard Bank spokesman Ross Linstrom.
On Sunday night, he confirmed the incident and said customers would have to look for alternative branches for now. “Unfortunately it is a crime-related thing and we have to co-operate with the police. We will get services to operate as soon as possible,” he said.
Linstrom said that the bank could not provide much information about the incident as the investigation had just begun.
Police were still looking for suspects who made off with the cash.
Police spokesman Thulani Zwane said investigators were using the branch’s CCTV footage of the robbery, which is believed to have happened in the early hours of Saturday.
When The Mercury went to the branch on Sunday, a security guard had blocked off the entrance with a notice board notifying of the “temporary closure” of operations.
There was no damage to the branch’s glass windows.
A shopkeeper who trades across the road said that when she came in to work on Saturday morning, the police had already cordoned off the bank.
The robbers were believed to have entered via the roof, through a store on top of the bank. Zwane confirmed that entry was gained through a neighbouring building, but would not give its name.
He said the Hawks were investigating.
The Mercury