Hawks Prevent Klerksdorp ATM Bombing,7 Suspects Nabbed

• Seven men aged between 30 and 58 were arrested in Klerksdorp after police foiled a planned ATM bombing in the Klerksdorp CBD
• The operation, led by the Special Task Force and the Hawks’ Tactical Operations Management Section, followed intelligence about the impending attack
• Suspects are expected to appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court

KLERKSDORP— Seven men aged between 30 and 58 were arrested in Klerksdorp on Tuesday morning, 3 March 2026, after allegedly plotting to bomb an automated teller machine (ATM) in the city’s central business district.

The news was shared on X by anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee, who revealed that the suspects were apprehended during a coordinated operation involving the Special Task Force (STF), the Hawks’ Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS) and other law enforcement partners. The arrests followed intelligence received about a planned ATM bombing in Klerksdorp.

What happened during the operation?

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Officers acted swiftly, intercepting the group before the crime could be carried out. A rifle, a pistol and explosives were seized during the operation.

The suspects are expected to face charges including possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, conspiracy to commit a crime, and possession of a suspected stolen motor vehicle. They are due to appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrates’ Court.

Suspects nabbed in unsuccessful ATM bombing

In related news, an ATM in Gauteng was bombed by unidentified suspects who were armed and ready to attack authorities. The incident happened in Etwatwa, Ekurhuleni and ended in a shootout between police and alleged bombers on 19 August 2023.ATM is a stone's throw away from a police station in Etwatwa, Ekurhuleni, and it was bombed. According to Daily Sun, the thieves were not able to get any cash as the police were on the scene, and they soon exchanged bullets. Etwatwa police got back up from Daveyton police.

Previous articles on ATM bombings

• KZN responded to a suspected ATM bombing in Esikhaleni, KZN, on the morning of 25 July 2024. Swift action from police resulted in the arrest of a suspected getaway driver and the fatal shooting of another suspect during the confrontation.
• A group of approximately 15 armed men bombed two ATMs at the Batho Plaza in Soshanguve, Gauteng Community members fought over the money left behind at the scene after the gang fled.
• Four suspects were nabbed for ATM bombings in Katlehong and Thokoza would appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate Court Gauteng police said the crew was found in possession of stained notes and explosives, amongst other things.
• A foreign national woman and her husband were arrested in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, after they were linked to ATM bombings. Police traced dye-stained money that was deposited into an account. The account reportedly belonged to a foreign national woman living in a backyard in Katlehong.
• A video showing thieves entering a petrol station and robbing the till before setting a bomb up and detonating it at the ATM has gone viral. The clip was shared on Twitter by anti-crime activist Yusuf Abramjee, who revealed that the incident occurred in Limpopo.

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Previously, Briefly News reported that the South African Police Service in Limpopo launched a manhunt for suspects who bombed two ATMs in the province. The robbers made off with an undisclosed amount of money after they bombed two ATMs at a filling station in Thohoyandou.

Source: Briefly News