A investigation by the Gauteng Hawks has led to the arrest of a 22 year old suspected of making several bomb threats to two banks. The banks involved are First National and Bank Standard Bank.
The suspect allegedly made numerous bomb threats in August claiming he had planted explosive devices which necessitated the buildings to be evacuated and closed for at least a day, resulting in losses amounting to millions of rands. No explosives devices were located during the search of the two extensive buildings, whilst investigations were already at an advanced stage to identify the caller.
The suspect allegedly demanded that both banks close accounts belonging to a Trust, the details will be divulge at his court hearing. The 22 year old was finally tracked and was arrested at his workplace in Limpopo, Polokwane, on Wednesday evening and Hawks members seized cell phones, simcards, a computer and documents.
The suspect is expected to appear on Friday (today) at the Johannesburg Magistrate Court on charges under the POCDATARA Act of 2004 – threat to place and discharge or detonate explosives or other lethal device.
The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) Lieutenant General Mthandazo Ntlemeza, stated, “The Hawks takes threats of violence very seriously. Make no mistake we investigate these incidents, and those found responsible will be subject to arrest and full prosecution no matter where they are located.”