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Robbers tie up security guard and bomb ATM

McKeed Kotlolo

McKeed Kotlolo

An unknown number of gunmen bombed an Absa ATM in Leslie and escaped with undisclosed amount of cash yesterday morning.

The blast took place at an ATM outside the China Supermarket in Norda Street, Leslie, Mpumalanga, yesterday morning, police said.

Provincial police superintendent Abie Khoabane said it all started when a security guard spotted a car near the supermarket with no registration plates and suspicious-looking occupants.

Suddenly two armed men grabbed the guard, took him to the back of the building and tied him up.

Apart from the two who tied him up the guard did not see exactly how many people were involved.

He said moments later there was an explosion at about 2.45am. The gunmen escaped with a substantial amount of cash.

Khoabane said the ATM blast was the first to be reported in the area and that no one was reported injured.

The guard managed to untie himself after the men had fled the scene and found the he ATM extensively damaged.

"No arrests have been made and investigations are continuing," Khoabane said.

Meanwhile, members of the Mpumalanga organised crime unit arrested a third suspect in connection with the Absa ATM bombing in Hendrina near Carolina a while ago.

The 35-year-old man, who was arrested in Mamelodi on Monday, was also wanted in connection with other cases in Klipgat in North West.

These include possession of unlicensed firearms and explosives, ATM bombing and armed robbery in Themba, North West.

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