Explosives rocked two Woolworths branches – Pretoria’s Menlyn Park and Bloemfontein’s Preller Square – in separate overnight attacks this week, with the company heightening security nationwide as the Hawks investigate.
In the early hours of Friday, explosive devices detonated inside another Woolworths branch. This happened 24 hours after the first incident on Thursday.
Another Woolworths store hit by explosion
The first explosion occurred in Pretoria, Gauteng, at the Menlyn Park store, and the second in Bloemfontein, Free State, at the Preller Square branch.
The Woolworths Menlyn Park store has reopened, but Woolworths Preller Square remains closed while the investigation is underway.
The police in Tshwane launched an investigation on Thursday following the explosion at the mall on Atterbury Road.
South African Police Service (Saps) spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk said the store manager received a phone call from personnel stationed at the store about an explosion that happened inside the premises at about 1 am.
Emergency response agencies arrived immediately after receiving the call and cordoned off the area.
No one injured
“It is alleged that an unknown explosive device detonated on one of the store shelves. At the time of the incident, five packers were on duty inside the store,” Van Dyk said.
Fortunately, the explosions injured no one and damaged only food items and shelving inside the store.
The police registered a case of contravention of the Explosives Act, Act 26 of 1956, section 27(1)(c) for investigation.
Woolworths confirmed on Friday that neither incident harmed anyone.
The company said that in both instances, someone set off the devices between 1 am and 2 am while the stores were closed.
Devices went off between 1 am and 2 am
“Some staff members have, understandably, been affected by the events, and Woolworths is providing all of the necessary support to our teams,” it said.
Woolworths said that in both instances, staff informed Saps immediately and conducted a thorough sweep of the areas to prevent further threats. The Hawks are investigating the explosions.
“At this stage, no further information on the nature of the devices or the motive behind these attacks is available,” the company said.
To support the authorities’ work, Woolworths has hired specialised forensic experts to boost security and intelligence. Woolworths stores nationwide have also stepped up their vigilance as a precaution.
Woolworth’s incoming group CEO, Sam Ngumeni, said the company is taking every possible action to protect its staff and customers.
Woolworths doors will stay open – CEO
“An attack on our business is an attack on our values and the millions of people we serve. Our business has thrived for nearly a century because our people make the decision each day to show up and excel. That won’t change,” Ngumeni said.
He added that the Woolworths doors will stay open.
Meanwhile, explosives expert Jimmy Roodt said the damage at the Menlyn store suggested a low-order blast, not a substantial high-explosive detonation.
He warned that even small devices create panic and endanger workers, urging shopping centres to maintain bomb-threat response plans.
