Members of the Special Task Force, the Hawks’ Tactical Operations Management Section, and other role players arrested the suspects, aged 30 to 58, in Klerksdorp. They were allegedly planning to bomb an ATM in the CBD.

The Hawks’ Tactical Operations Management Section responded to information about the planned bombing, said Hawks national spokesperson Katlego Mogale.

Items seized by police during an attempted ATM bombing in Klerksdorp CBD. Photo: SAPS

“A rifle, a pistol and explosives were recovered. The suspects will be charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle,” said Mogale.

In 2022, a member of the Rustenburg Tactical Response Team (TRT), together with a co-accused, was arrested for allegedly bombing an ATM at a filling station on the R510 road near Mogwase outside Rustenburg.

Failing to open the ATM’s cash container, the four accused reportedly then took an undisclosed amount of money from the cash register and hijacked a vehicle and a motorcycle as they fled.

Both accused were the first to be arrested. It was later during investigations that the other two were arrested.

Their hijacked vehicle was traced to the Sondela informal settlement, while others were arrested in Boitekong and Tlhabane, respectively.

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