Police in Limpopo have arrested a total of 13 suspects during the past few weeks in connection with ATM bombings within and outside the province.

The first arrests were made on June 12 when members from the Polokwane Organised Crime Unit followed up on information about a possible ATM bombing. They spotted the suspected vehicle and when the suspects entered a filling station at Madiba Park near Seshego, they were overpowered and arrested by the police. 

Commercial Explosives and several fire-arms with live rounds, including R5 rifles and pistols, as well as hammers and crow bars, were found in their possession and confiscated. The vehicle driven by them was also confiscated. The suspects, Nkosinathi Clifton Khumalo (25) of Diepkloof Soweto, Eniel Docky Mohlekoa (33) of Sharpeville, Sipho David Malombo (24) of Randpark and Michael Vuyisile Zumane (25) of Diepkloof Soweto all appeared in the Polokwane Magistrates’ Court and are all still in custody.

Following up on information provided by the suspects, police next arrested two suspects in connection with three ATM bombings at Matoks between Louis Trichardt and Polokwane during March this year. The suspects, Khehla Hlatswayo (35) of Mofolo South Soweto and Neo Tladi (36) of Orlando Soweto have appeared and also remain in custody.

The sixth suspect was arrested on June 19 when police followed up on information about an ATM blast at Boshoek, Phokeng in Rustenburg during January. A constable attached to the West Rand Dog Unit, Const Keketso Santho (31), was arrested.

The police investigation went further and arrested Steven Ntamela (40) at Dobsonville. The suspect is one of the most wanted suspects in the Eastern Cape - he is connected to incidents around the Flagstaff area.

Two more suspects, Raphiri Lenon Moralle and Ditsebe Oscar Phala (27), were also arrested for the unlawful possession and dealing in commercial explosives. Moralle is a former employee of the Amandelbult Platinum Mine at Northam and Phala an employee of the Marula Platinum Mine at Mecklenburg. Both the suspects appeared in court and are still in custody.

Earlier this year, four suspects were arrested shortly after they bombed an ATM at the Phagament Township outside Modimolle. This happened during April.  A 9mm fire-arm was found in their possession. The suspects, from Soshanguve and Hammanskraal appeared in court and are all still in custody.

During the course of the investigations the dedicated police members also arrested suspects on their way to commit crimes, or shortly after it happened. On June 19 the team was at Dobsonville, Soweto, when they spotted a suspicious vehicle. They stopped the vehicle and arrested the three suspects for theft of a motor vehicle, only 30 minutes after the crime was committed. The vehicle was stolen at Florida. On June 17 the same police members were travelling on the road to Lebowakgomo when they spotted another suspicious vehicle. The vehicle was stopped and searched and members confiscated an AK 47 rifle with ammunition, as well as a .38 Special revolver.  Five suspects were arrested.

"These arrests clearly indicate that the police in Limpopo are very serious about curbing these crimes in the province. We will not rest until everybody involved in these crimes, whether directly of indirectly, are arrested and placed behind bars," said assistant provincial commissioner Ntleza.