<\/p>\n
Police are investigating two separate explosions that hit Woolworths stores in just over 24 hours of each other \u2013 one in Gauteng and another in the Free state.<\/p>\n
Police first reported an explosion at a Woolworths store at Menlyn Mall, in Tshwane, during the early hours of Thursday morning.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s understood the store manager received a phone call from personnel stationed at the store informing him of an explosion that occurred inside the premises at approximately 1am.<\/p>\n
Police have confirmed that an \u201cunknown explosive device\u201d detonated on one of the store shelves.<\/p>\n
At the time of the incident, five packers were on duty inside the store but no injuries were reported, with the damage limited to food items and shelving inside the store.<\/p>\n
The police\u2019s Bomb Disposal Unit, K9 Unit, Crime Scene Management, as well as detectives, are following up on all possible leads as part of the ongoing investigation.<\/p>\n
Read: Woolworths delivers positive sales but profit margins under pressure<\/p>\n
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\u201cA case of contravention of the Explosives Act, Act 26 of 1956, Section 27(1)(c), has been registered for investigation,\u201d police said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Damage to food on shelves at Woolworths Menlyn Mall. Image: Supplied<\/p>\n
While that matter is still pending, the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) are also now probing the circumstances that led to a similar incident at Preller Square, in Bloemfontein where \u201can alleged explosion occurred at a retail store\u201d.<\/p>\n
Police confirmed it to be a Woolies store as well.<\/p>\n
According to reports, the store manager received a call from a security company at 3am, informing him about an explosion inside the store.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe local SAPS [South Africa Police Service] Explosives Unit and other relevant stakeholders are on the scene. Investigations into the cause of the explosion are continuing,\u201d Hawks spokesperson Fikiswa Matoti told Moneyweb.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s unclear at this stage if the incidents are linked.<\/p>\n
In a written statement, Woolworths said it has extended its full cooperation to authorities and will continue to work closely with investigators in the matter.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAt this stage, no further information on the nature of the devices or the motive behind these attacks is available,\u201d the corporate said.<\/p>\n
As a precaution, the company added that vigilance across Woolworths stores nationwide has increased, and specialist forensic experts have been contracted to strengthen security and intelligence, in support of the work already being done by the authorities.<\/p>\n
Read: New Woolies boss faces urgent to-do list<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are taking every action and doing everything in our power to protect our people and customers, who remain our first priority,\u201d said Sam Ngumeni, incoming Group CEO.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn attack on our business is an attack on our values, and the millions of people we serve.\u201d<\/p>\n
All stores will stay open.<\/p>\n
#Woolies #stores #rocked #explosions #separate #incidents<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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