A Capitec ATM was blown up in Mdantsane NU14 on Monday evening but police said as a robbery attempt, it had failed.
Spokesperson captain Mluleki Mbi said police were now investigating a case of malicious damage to property and causing an explosion.
“Preliminary reports suggest that no money was taken from the ATM at Hlongwane supermarket. The type of explosive used is unknown at this stage,” he said.
When the Daily Dispatch visited the area on Tuesday, pieces of the machine were strewn on the ground near the shattered ATM.
Hlongwane supermarket staffer Alfred Laston said a peeping resident saw six men scrambling for cash after the explosion.
“The guys destroyed this ATM at around 11pm last night. We were sleeping when it happened and I got a call that there was a robbery happening outside our store.
“When we came out to see what was happening, there were police and security guards here.
“Someone who was watching from their window said there were six guys and they put the bomb in the ATM and ran and hid nearby, waiting for the bomb to explode. Then they all came back here to check if there was any money but I doubt they got anything from this ATM.”
Resident Zolani Moyi said he was woken by a loud bang, but he did not go outside fearing for his life.
“I just heard a loud sound during the night but I did not know what was happening. I heard a few guys talking after that but I was scared to leave the house to check what they were doing because these criminals can easily shoot and kill you if you interfere with their robberies.”
A woman, who did not want to be named said “they must have left with nothing because there were no money notes around here”...