ATM gang 'white, heavily-armed men'
2013-01-13 11:10
The Sunday Tribune reported that the gang was believed to be responsible for at least four ATM bombings in recent weeks. CCTV footage had revealed that its members were white men.
"It would appear that the type of crimes perpetrated by whites has changed and this is a very high profile turn," criminologist Nirmala Gopal told the newspaper.
"Perhaps white people are getting more desperate, considering that they are turning to such violent means."
Research suggested that security experts of police officials were often part of ATM bombing gangs, and that mining industry explosives experts were also sometimes involved.
Captain Thulani Zwane told The Sunday Tribune that the Hawks were investigating the crimes.
He said some arrests had been made, and that those arrested did not have police or military training.
The gang was believed to have carried out ATM bombings in Nottingham Road, Howick, Merrivale and Greytown.
It was also thought to be responsible for murdering Constable Vidhur Jadoo, of the Pietermaritzburg dog unit, and wounding his partner Warrant Officer Livingston Mpangase.
- SAPA
Read more on: durban | crime
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New face of ATM bombers
CCTV footage shows a gang of ATM bombers as they set about
laying explosives at a shopping centre in Merrivale, near Howick. Pictures:
Umngeni News.
Durban - In what could change the face of a uniquely
South African crime, a gang of white ATM bombers, thought to be responsible for
a string of attacks in central KwaZulu-Natal, continue to wreak havoc as fears
of their next strike mount.
The bombers were caught on CCTV cameras which clearly
reveal their white skin colour.
The gang, thought to comprise between 10 and 15 men, has
masterminded at least four attacks in small towns in recent weeks, and the
well-armed group operates with military precision.
The statement of a security guard the gang held at
gunpoint, corroborated by CCTV footage of the bombers, clearly shows white faces
hidden beneath balaclavas, indicating a changing face of South African crime.
The elite gang, armed to the hilt with high calibre
assault rifles, appears to target towns outside major urban hubs where police
response would be minimal.
The technical nature of their bombings and the manner in
which they ambushed police officers has fuelled speculation that they have
specialist police or military training.
Aa bomber, whose face is hidden by a balaclava, holds a
pistol. Pictures: UMNGENI NEWS.
Criminologist Nirmala Gopal said: “It would appear that
the type of crimes perpetrated by whites has changed and this is a very high
profile turn. Perhaps white people are getting more desperate, considering they
are turning to such violent means,” she said.
She added that previous research into the composition of
ATM gangs had shown that they had recruited experts from various fields.
“These gangs fill their ranks with the likes of security
guards, cash-in transit personnel, those trained to work with explosives, for
example, in the mining industry or even police officers.”
“The peril of suggesting one type of background distracts
from apprehending the real criminals. Previous media reports on arrests of
police personnel confirm that gangs ensure that expert members from the SAPS and
other paramilitary structures are included in their ATM bombing syndicates,” she
said.
A security expert, who would not be named as he consulted
for several banks, said examining how the gang executed the bombings had led him
to believe that they had a military background.
“It is my personal opinion that these men are either
currently in the armed forces or have some military experience, especially with
regard to demolition and explosives. This will obviously have to be confirmed if
they are ever arrested.”
One of the gang unravels Cordtex explosive. Pictures: UMNGENI
NEWS.
He added that it made sense that these elite soldiers
would choose to enrich themselves if they could.
“Imagine you are a soldier with specialised training in
combat and in explosives as part of your trade, and despite this you are paid a
pittance. It is not an outrageous notion that these men would turn to crime for
personal enrichment, they certainly have the means. I don’t think this is the
work of the right wing,” he added.
In October, bombers struck an ATM in Nottingham Road in
the early hours of the morning. A security guard posted at a hardware outlet
across the road had woken to go to the toilet and had stumbled upon the men as
they were laying their charges. The unarmed guard was critically injured when
the bombers opened fire on him. - Sunday Tribune
Is someone making a "Dumb Movie" where they are using 'Whites' as scape goats?
ReplyDeleteCortex does not look like mountaineering rope?
Zulu's live in hostels in Soweto and come from KZN.
Body paint can paint black white and white black?
The Hawks better do their job and not play to the 'Media!'