The South African Police Service (SAPS) says it is exploring all possible motives behind two explosions at Woolworths stores in Gauteng and the Free State, but has cautioned that it is too early to classify the incidents as acts of terrorism.

Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane has deployed a National Forensic Task Team and Crime Intelligence experts to investigate the blasts, which occurred at Woolworths stores in Pretoria and Bloemfontein within 24 hours of each other.

“Investigations are currently at a very early stage, and all possible motives are being explored by investigators,” SAPS said in a statement on Friday.

The retailer confirmed that improvised explosive devices (IED’s) were detonated at its Menlyn Park store in Pretoria in the early hours of Thursday morning and at its Preller Square branch in Bloemfontein on Friday.

Both explosions occurred between 1 am and 2 am while the stores were closed, and no injuries were reported. During the Menlyn blast, five packers were working nearby.

Woolworths said the Menlyn Park store has since reopened, while the Bloemfontein branch remains closed as authorities continue their investigation.

The company notified police immediately after both incidents, with the Hawks appointed to investigate. Woolworths says it is fully cooperating with law enforcement agencies and has increased security measures across its stores nationwide.

At this stage, neither the police nor the retailer has disclosed details about the nature of the devices or a possible motive, adding to the mystery surrounding the attacks.

Incoming Woolworths Group CEO Sam Ngumeni described the incidents as an attack on the company’s values and the millions of customers it serves, while reaffirming that the retailer would continue operating.

With no arrests announced and no group claiming responsibility, investigators are working to determine who was behind the explosions and why Woolworths was targeted.

Woolworths says it has increased vigilance across its stores nationwide following explosions at two branches over the past two days.

In the early hours of Thursday morning, an “improvised explosive device” detonated on one of the store shelves at the Menlyn Park Mall branch in Pretoria, while a second explosion was reported in Bloemfontein at the Preller Square branch on Friday morning.

Incoming CEO Sam Ngumeni says specialist forensic teams have been contracted to strengthen security and intelligence measures as a precaution.

“Woolworths is relieved to share that no one was harmed in either incident. In both instances, the devices were set off between 01:00 and 02:00, when stores were closed. Some staff members have, understandably, been affected by the events, and Woolworths is providing all of the necessary support to our teams.”

Ngumeni confirmed that the Menlyn Park store in Pretoria has reopened following yesterday’s explosion, while the Preller Square branch in Bloemfontein remains closed as investigations continue.

“On both occasions, the South African Police Service (SAPS) was informed immediately, a thorough sweep was done of the areas to ensure no further threats were present, and the Hawks were appointed to investigate. Woolworths has extended its full cooperation to authorities and will continue to work closely with them as the investigation unfolds. At this stage, no further information on the nature of the devices or the motive behind these attacks is available.”

The retailer maintains that the safety of its staff and customers remains its main priority.

“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. Our doors will stay open, and our values will continue to be evident in every experience, and every product, as they have always done,” Ngumeni added.

Police dockets and an official magistrate’s court date stamp were among the items police found at a home in Grassy Park when responding to a tip-off related to firearm possession.  

The Western Cape SAPS said members with Operation Lockdown III were called to Nightjar Street in Pelican on Tuesday night, acting on information that an individual there had been in possession of firearms.  

Police searched the home after arriving at about 21:00, and there they found nine police dockets, the magistrate’s court date stamp, as well as two imitation firearms and 73 rounds of ammunition.  

Western Cape SAPS spokesperson Captain F.C Van Wyk, a 37-year-old man, was taken into police custody.  

“A 37-year-old male suspect was arrested and detained at Muizenberg police station for possession of imitation firearms and ammunition. He is due to make his first court appearance at the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court once charged,” said Van Wyk.  

While the suspect’s current charge related only to the firearm-related discovery, Van Wyk noted that investigations are ongoing.  

“The circumstances surrounding the dockets in his possession are under investigation.”  

The discovery has sparked concerns over possible corruption and collusion within the criminal justice system. 

The DA Western Cape spokesperson on Police Oversight and Community Safety, Benedicta van Minnen, claims the suspect is gang-affiliated, and added that his access to active criminal investigation records points to “deep-seated corruption and active collusion between elements within SAPS and organised crime syndicates”. 

In a statement, she noted that it is especially concerning when taking the recent crime statistics into account, especially with “93% or 225 out of 242 recorded in the first quarter of this year, occurred right here in the Western Cape”. 

READ MORE: Fourth Quarter Crime Stats

“The discovery raises serious concerns regarding corruption and collusion within the criminal justice system, particularly in gang-affected communities where cases frequently collapse and where convictions for gun crime remain at 5%,” said van Minnen.  

Van Minnen added that the incident “cannot be dismissed as an isolated embarrassment”. 

“A comprehensive investigation is required to determine how these materials left official custody, whether any cases were compromised, and who should be held accountable,” she said. 

She said that the DA would be writing to the Provincial Commissioner to prioritise this investigation and to “ensure the integrity of other criminal dockets is not compromised”. 

The Minister of Correctional Services, Dr Pieter Groenewald, has accused the leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), Geordin Hill-Lewis, of practising “cheap politics” following a recent statement by Hill-Lewis raising alarm over a report claiming that nearly 28,000 parolees are untraceable.

A new report by investigative journalism group AmaBhungane claims that over 27,000 high-risk parolees are unaccounted for after absconding, including offenders convicted of violent crimes. Of these, more than 15,000 are classified as archived absconders who were released between 1991 and 2004 and have still not been traced. Gauteng has the highest number, with over 9,300 absconders.

Hill-Lewis expressed deep concern around the findings.

“The DA has long raised alarm about the collapse of effective parole supervision, and these findings confirm what we have warned for years that the Department of Correctional Services is failing to protect the public.”

Hill-Lewis confirmed that the party will write to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services to request a full parliamentary review of the Community Corrections System.

“We will also call for a resolution from the Portfolio Committee petitioning the Minister of Correctional Services to issue a request for proposals for GPS-enabled electronic monitoring within 90 days, for a pilot programme to commence within 12 months, and for legislative amendments to ensure mandatory electronic monitoring of all parolees convicted of violent crimes.”

In a message directed to Hill-Lewis via X, Groenewald reiterated that there is an ongoing process to introduce electronic monitoring bracelets for parolees, with measurable progress already under way.

“I stated in public that I am in the process of introducing electronic bracelets for parolees. There is progress. I had a parole summit last year on the revision of the parole system. We are busy with legislative amendments. Don’t practise cheap politics,” Groenewald stated.