Boxer Store at Denlyn Mall in Mamelodi West was bombed early on Thursday morning at around 1 am and the culprits made off with an undisclosed amount of money from the shattered ATM that is inside the store.
Residents living near the store told Tshwane Talks that they heard a loud bang at around 1 am this morning but never for a moment thought it would be Boxer Store which was under attack.
Then when they woke up in the morning they watched in disbelief as they realised that their favourite store had been bombed.
Elderly people who always use Boxer Store for their needs especially during month-end were not only shocked but also gravely inconvenienced by the bombing incident.
Rumour doing rounds in the township suggests that the bombers knew that as the 3rd day of every month is payday for those receiving old age grants, the ATM inside the store would obviously be full of money.
The police arrived at the scene immediately after being notified of the bombing incident and started combing the area for any evidence that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of this crime.
It is believed that the robbers entered the Denlyn Mall at the back before gaining access to Boxer Store and bombing the ATM therein.
Tshwane district communications Warrant Officer Marine Austine who arrived at the scene expressed satisfaction that the police have now put the crime scene area under control and that investigations into the bombing incident were already under way.
No arrests or injuries have been reported so far regarding this case and police appeal for any information from the public to help track the suspects.
A security guard who refused to be named told Tshwane Talks that the the suspects gained entry at the back of the mall and they vandalised the gate.
They then proceeded to Boxer store where they managed to gain entry in the store and bombed ATM and left.
An elderly woman Lorraine Chauke told Tshwane Talks that Boxer Store is her favourite shopping outlet because that is where she can do all her errands at the same time.
“I am shocked and disappointed about this incident because I am dependent on Boxer Store as it is cheaper than other stores, so this means I am going to have to spend more money for my needs, as I can’t use Boxer today,” she lamented.
“I receive my pension grant money right here at Boxer Store, I buy my groceries here and I also pay my rent here,” said the old lady.
“I will have to look for another branch of Boxer Store which is obviously far from where I live so that means I will have to spend money on transport,” she said while in the process appealing to the government to put an end to all forms of crime in the country.
“There’s crime every where, inside our houses where robbers take away our belongings as well as in the streets and now this crime has been extended to shopping malls, where is it that we as citizens can be safe,” complained the old lady.
“Just how can a person expect to have and use money that they have not worked for?” she asked rhetorically.