Police have launched an investigation after unknown suspects allegedly broke into a supermarket in Ennerdale and bombed an ATM, with the force of the explosion reportedly heard by residents across the surrounding community.
Ennerdale SAPS’ Station Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Vassan confirmed to Globe Post that a case of ATM bombing was opened at Ennerdale Police Station this morning and that police were following up on all available leads.
Vassan said he was deeply saddened by the incident, particularly because Ennerdale already has a limited number of ATMs available to residents.
“This is the third incident at Hyperland Ennerdale and, at the end of the day, the community suffers when these incidents happen,” Vassan told Globe Post.
A case involving business breaking, theft and ATM bombing has been opened following the incident.
According to information provided to the newsroom, unknown suspects allegedly gained entry to the supermarket before targeting and bombing an ATM on the premises.
No arrests have yet been made and police investigations are continuing.
The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the number of suspects involved and the amount of money or property that may have been stolen, have not yet been confirmed.
“The noise was so loud”
The explosion caused considerable alarm among residents.
An Ennerdale resident who visited the Globe Post offices following the incident said the blast had shaken him so badly that he could not sleep.
He described the explosion as exceptionally loud, saying it could be heard from his home.
His account highlights how ATM bombings affect far more than the businesses and banks directly targeted. Loud explosions can leave surrounding communities frightened, while damage to banking infrastructure can also make it more difficult for residents to access cash and essential financial services.
That concern was echoed by Vassan, who stressed that the real impact is ultimately felt by the community, particularly in an area where ATM facilities are already limited.
Gauteng remains vulnerable despite national decline
The Ennerdale attack comes despite a substantial national reduction in ATM attacks recorded by South Africa’s banking industry.
The South African Banking Risk Information Centre’s 2025 Annual Crime Statistics Report recorded 163 ATM attacks nationally during 2025, compared with 301 in 2024 — a decrease of 46%.
The decline was even sharper for attacks involving explosives, with 107 explosive ATM attacks recorded in 2025 compared with 254 the previous year.
Gauteng nevertheless remained the province with the largest share of explosive ATM attacks, accounting for 31% of incidents recorded nationally during 2025.
SABRIC has attributed the decline in attacks partly to closer cooperation between banks and law-enforcement agencies, together with improved ATM security, intelligence sharing, hotspot monitoring and stronger physical protection at vulnerable sites.
The latest incident in Ennerdale demonstrates, however, that explosive attacks on ATMs remain a concern for local communities.
Community bears the cost
The banking industry has previously warned that ATM bombings are not simply a financial loss for banks.
ATMs form part of essential community infrastructure, particularly in areas where residents may have limited access to alternative banking facilities.
When an ATM is destroyed, residents can be left without convenient access to cash, salaries, social grants and everyday banking services while repairs or replacement take place.
For Ennerdale, where police say ATM availability is already limited, repeated attacks can have an even greater impact.
Vassan’s confirmation that the latest attack is the third incident at Hyperland Ennerdale raises further concerns about the effect repeated ATM bombings are having on residents and businesses in the area.
Police appeal for information
Police are appealing to community members who may have information about the incident, suspicious vehicles or individuals seen in the area around the time of the attack to come forward.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation can contact their nearest police station, call SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or submit information anonymously through the MySAPS App.
No arrests have been made and police investigations are continuing.
This is a developing story, Globe Post will provide updates as more information becomes available.
