Bungeni residents and the surrounding communities have been dealt a second vicious blow in the space of a month, after robbers destroyed all of their ATMs.
Three weeks ago, they lost one of their three ATMs when armed robbers blew up a Capitec ATM at the Saseki shopping complex. In the early hours of Sunday, 14 May, the same shopping complex was hit by criminals again, who blew up the remaining two ATMs, leaving the community with no banking facilities.
Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba confirmed the incident. "Five unknown armed male suspects accosted security guards at the Njhakanjhaka Saseki shopping complex in Bungeni and held them hostage while they bombed the ATMs. It is not clear at this stage whether any money was taken from the ATMs or not, but the suspects fled the scene on foot, without firing any shots," he said.
The bombing has left these rural communities somewhat handicapped. The ATMs saved many of the residents the costs of taking taxis to nearby towns for their banking needs.
Mr Makhayisani Mabunda, chairperson of the Bungeni royal council, said the second bombing had come as a big shock to the community. "We have not even had time to get over the first bombing three weeks ago, now this. We are a very rural community with no facilities except the ATMs. Poverty is at its worst here, and residents depend on grants and can hardly afford taxi fares to town. This is very sad for us, and we just hope the police will do their work and stop this carnage," he said.
Ledwaba said a manhunt had been launched to track down the suspects, who are still at large. "As police, we request anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects to contact Captain Mabunda on 082 565 7901. Alternatively, they can contact the nearest police station, Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or go to the MySAPSApp. Investigations are underway," he said.