IN PICS | Soweto ATM bombing also smashes neighbouring homes

Share current article via EmailShare current article via FacebookShare current article via TwitterShare current article via LinkedInKabungane BiyelaOpens in new windowOpens in new windowEnter fullscreen mode displaying this image.ExpandWindows were broken in a house close to the ATM that was bombed in Meadowlands, Soweto, on Wednesday. Picture: Refilwe Kholomonyane Story audio is generated using AI

“I was deep in my sleep when I heard a big bang. It felt like an earthquake.”

Those were the words of Ntombezinhle Hadebe, 23, who lives in one of the houses that were damaged when two ATMs were bombed at an Engen garage in Meadowlands Zone 8, Soweto, early on Wednesday morning.

Speaking to TimesLIVE, Hadebe said when she heard the explosion, she immediately called the police for help.

“Everything happened so fast, but when the police came nobody came to check if we were injured.”

A house near an ATM that was bombed in Meadowlands Zone 8, Soweto, suffered damage to its exterior from the blast. Picture: Refilwe Kholomonyane Sharing an eight-bedroom house, her uncle, Mthunzi Hadebe, said they had heard two cars speeding up the road. “When we woke up, we noticed three broken windows — two in the bedrooms and one in the living room.

“This has never happened in the area before and it has brought fear upon us. Nobody works in the house and we don’t know how we will fix these windows,” he said.

The broken windows have been left covered with plastic and cardboard to keep the wind out.

Blast wreckage is stark evidence of an ATM bombing at an Engen garage in Meadowlands, Soweto. Picture: Refilwe Kholomonyane Another seven-bedroom house directly opposite the garage had seven windows damaged in the blast.

The owner, who asked to remain anonymous, lives with three of her grandchildren. She said the family thought they were being robbed when they heard the explosion and the sound of glass breaking.

“We quickly ran to the bathroom to hide. I’m still shaking from the sound. The sound was so bad that my grandchildren started crying,” she said, adding that the family survived on social grants and now did not know where to turn for help.

“It’s raining now and all my windows are damaged. How will we survive?” she asked.

Community members said the bombing had added to existing fears about crime in the area. They said criminals now used flashy cars when committing robberies, stopping residents and taking their phones and other belongings.

Community member Thabang Rapelang said residents were worried that the damaged property could make them easier targets. “The area is not safe, especially now that this has happened. It has given criminals access and made us a target.

“Not so long ago they bombed ATMs in Zone 6 and (the bank) installed another ATM. And they were bombed again. So since this has happened to us, the criminals are going to come back,” Rapelang said.

He said residents had repeatedly raised concerns with the ward councillor but were still waiting for help. “What’s sad is that each time we reach out to the councillor, we are always told that things will be fixed, but it ends up nowhere.”

Polce spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said cash was scattered at the scene of the explosion, and the suspects had allegedly fled in a brown Audi and a small white bakkie.

Ward councillor Philemon Tabane said the ATMs that had been targeted were widely used by residents because they were easily accessible. “Our community uses these ATMs. There is no queue compared with the ones at the mall,” he said.

Tabane said he had contacted the disaster management team and a social worker to assist the two affected families.

He said he had also drafted a letter to local builders asking them to assist with repairing the windows or provide material to cover the holes while the families wait for further assistance.

Would you like to comment on this article?Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.