2nd Woolworths Explosion in 24 Hours Leaves South Africans Concerned, Hawks Step In

• A second reported explosion at a Woolworths store in the Free State today has sparked an urgent investigation
• This comes less than 24 hours after a similar incident occurred in a Woolworths store in Pretoria
• Free State police say the explosive unit is still on scene at Preller Square, ensuring there are no additional devices, while parts of the mall remain cordoned off as inspections continue

FREE STATE - A second reported blast at a Woolworths store within 24 hours is under investigation after an explosion occurred at a branch in the Free State on the morning of 29 May 2026.

According to multiple media reports, including TimesLIVE, a small explosion was confirmed at the store, prompting an immediate response from emergency and law enforcement officials.

Police confirm the explosion

According to the Bloemfontein Courant, Free State police spokesperson Sgt Mahlomola Kareli said the police explosive unit remains on scene, actively processing the area to ensure there are no additional threats.

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He added that the area at Preller Square was temporarily cordoned off following the incident, though parts of the shopping complex have since reopened to the public. Owners of the building are still checking to see if there is any damage to the property.

Kareli further confirmed that the case has now been handed over to the Hawks for further investigation.

See the post about the blast here:

No injuries have been reported in the Free State incident. Officials have urged the public to remain cautious and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement as the situation develops.

In a statement shared with Briefly News, SAPS spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane had deployed a National Forensic Task Team and Crime Intelligence experts to investigate the explosions at both stores.She further said that at that stage it was premature to classify the incidents as acts of terrorism and urged the public to remain calm and allow investigators space to conduct their work.

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Woolworths speaks out about the incident

In its statement, Woolworths said it was relieved that nobody was injured in either incident and noted that some staff members had been emotionally affected by the explosions. The retailer said it is providing support to affected employees while working closely with SAPS and the Hawks during the investigation. Incoming Group CEO Sam Ngumeni described the attacks as an attack on the company’s values, adding that Woolworths remains committed to protecting its staff and customers while keeping its doors open. The store further added that SAPS and the Hawks are investigating the incidents, while additional security measures and forensic experts have been deployed across stores nationwide.

Explosion goes off in Woolworths Menlyn Mall

This latest incident comes less than 24 hours after a separate reported explosion at another Woolworths store in Pretoria, raising concerns about a possible link between the two cases. The Pretoria incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, 28 May 2026, when an explosion was reported inside the store. SAPS Tshwane District spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk confirmed that the store manager received an urgent call from night-shift staff on the retail floor at around 1 am. First responders and emergency services were immediately dispatched to the scene. At the time of the blast, five night-shift employees were reportedly working nearby on the shop floor. Authorities confirmed that, despite the incident, no injuries or fatalities were reported.

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Briefly News articles on Woolworths

• Briefly News reported that a woman shared an interesting experiment in which she tested the shelf life of Woolworths fresh fruits and vegetables, noting that the produce still appeared fresh even on the second day.
• A Woolworths employee captured the hearts of South Africans after documenting his incredible journey from working in the scullery to operating the espresso machine at Menlyn Park Shopping Mall.
• A local woman challenged herself to buy lunch at Woolworths for under R30 and managed to get chicken strips and a crusty bread roll, which she later enjoyed at work with a cup of coffee.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News