PARKTOWN – Police officers from Carletonville police station in Gauteng arrested eight suspects, aged between 22 and 48, who were allegedly en-route to bomb an ATM in West Rand. The suspects were found in possession of explosives, firearms, ammunition and suspected stolen goods.

Police received information that an ATM bombing was planned in West Rand. Officers from Carletonville Detectives and Carletonville Visible Policing followed the information and kept observation. The driver of a minibus taxi was stopped after the vehicle seemed suspicious and was interviewed. Information was followed up to Blybank where a second suspect was traced and a silver KIA Sportage was seized. Police then received information about a white double cab Toyota Hilux that was possibly used by the gang and it was intercepted. Upon searching the occupants and the vehicles, police found unlicensed firearms, ammunition, explosives and detonators. The information led the team to a house in Carltonville where more explosives and detonators were recovered.

The suspects are expected to appear before Carletonville Magistrates’ Court facing charges that include conspiracy to commit ATM bombing, possession of explosives, possession of unlicensed firearms, illegal possession of ammunition and possession of the possible stolen property.

Source: South African Police Service