The only ATM which the community members of Bungeni area and the surrounding villages relied on was destroyed by thugs. People now have to travel long distances to Elim and Louis Trichardt in order for them to be able to withdraw money.

The incident occurred at the Diza shopping complex last Wednesday. The spokesperson for the Waterval SAPS, Insp Kedibone Mabatha, confirmed that the ATM had been destroyed. “The incident took place at around 02:45 in the morning. We have registered a case of malicious damage to property, following the incident,” he said.

He added that the thugs escaped with cash of only R2 700 that was removed from the ATM. “We call upon the community members who may have information in this regard to contact the police, so that the culprits can be arrested,” he said.

One of the residents, Tsakani Baloyi, said that “If the ATM is not fixed urgently, it will have a negative effect on our lives because we use it on a daily basis. Life was simpler, because we no longer needed to travel to Elim or Louis Trichardt to do our bank transactions. It seems as if these thugs want to make our life difficult,” he said.

According to Mabatha, investigations are continuing. The ATM which was bombed belonged to ABSA bank.