Three arrested in connection with Durban bomb threats
Three people have been arrested in connection with a series
of bomb threats and scares in and around Durban earlier this year.
Police Minister Bheki Cele told reporters that the suspects were arrested earlier today.
“Today I can proudly say that following a joint multidisciplinary and intensive investigation, three targets have been arrested in connection with the placing and detonating of these devices, as well as other crimes,” he said.
Incendiary devices were found planted in various parts of the city in July. Three were found inside Woolworths stores near Westville, Umhlanga and the CBD.
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Cele says investigations have also revealed links between the bomb scares and the Verulam mosque attack in which one person was killed.
“Between March and August this year, Durban and surrounding areas were plagued by several incidents of placing and detonating these devices. In a separate incident that was linked to the placing of some of the devices, three men were attacked in May this year at a mosque in Verulam, which left one person dead and two others hurt,” he said.
The minister says investigations are still at a sensitive stage.
#sapsHQ Minister #Cele says incidents of incendiary devices placed at various places including retail stores in and around Durban area were investigated by a joint multi-disciplinary intensive investigation, 3 main targets have been arrested in connection with the incidents. NP
— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) October 5, 2018
#sapsHQ Minister of Police instructed #SAPSNPC and Head of #Hawks to establish a multi-disciplinary team comprising of Crime Intelligence, Hawks, Forensic experts and NPA as well as various other role players from within the criminal Justice Cluster to investigate these cases. NP pic.twitter.com/Jt73Zje7Xh
— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) October 5, 2018
#sapsHQ Arrested suspects are likely to face charges comprising of murder, contravention of the Explosive Act and arson, among others. Up to this point the team has established extortion as the most likely motive for these incidents. NP
— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) October 5, 2018
#sapsHQ Minister #Cele reassures South Africans that "The South African Police Service, will continue to do everything within our constitutional mandate to ensure that people are and feel safe". NP
— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) October 5, 2018