An explosion has again rocked a Woolworths store.

• Woolworths says it has increased its vigilance and security and intelligence capacity, as a precaution, after an explosion again rocked one of its stores – this time in Bloemfontein.
• The latest incident comes a day after an explosion was reported at a Woolworths outlet in Pretoria.
• Police and explosives experts are investigating the cause of Friday morning’s blast.
  

Woolworths has increased vigilance and deployed specialist forensic teams across its stores nationwide following two explosive incidents that targeted branches in Pretoria and Bloemfontein this week.

The improvised explosive devices detonated at two separate stores on Thursday and Friday mornings while the premises were still closed to the public.

The first explosion occurred in the early hours of Thursday at the Woolworths store in Menlyn Park Shopping Centre, Pretoria.

A second device detonated on Friday at the retailer’s Preller Square branch in Bloemfontein.

Responding to the latest explosion in Bloemfontein, Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti said it had occurred at around 03:00.

“According to reports, the store manager received a call from a security company informing him about an explosion inside the store,” Matoti added.

She could not immediately provide details on the extent of damage to the store.

“Investigations are under way to determine such details.”

Matoti said that the local police’s explosives unit and other relevant units were at the scene and investigating the cause of the explosion.

The shopping centre where Friday’s incident occurred is home to several fast-food outlets and just metres from Hoërskool Sentraal.

The latest incident comes a day after an explosion on a shelf at a Woolworths store at the Menlyn Shopping Centre in Pretoria in the early hours of Thursday.

READ | Police investigating explosion on grocery shelf inside Woolworths at Menlyn mall

Responding to the Menlyn Shopping Centre incident, police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk said the store manager had reported receiving a call from staff members, who informed him of an explosion inside the store at about 01:00.

Van Dyk added that it was believed that an unknown explosive device had detonated on a store shelf.

He said at the time of the incident, five packers were on duty inside the store, but that no injuries had been reported, and that the damage was limited to food items and shelves inside the store.

Spencer Sonn, chief customer officer at Woolworths, said police had been notified immediately after both incidents, prompting security sweeps of the affected areas to ensure no additional threats remained.

“As a precaution, we have increased vigilance across our stores nationwide, and specialist forensic teams have been contracted to strengthen security and intelligence,” he added.

While the Menlyn Park store had been reopened, Sonn said Woolworths Preller Square would remain closed, pending the outcome of the investigation.

“Some staff members are, understandably, shaken by the events, and our team is providing all the necessary support.”

Sonn said further information on the nature of the devices or the motive behind these attacks was unavailable.

He assured the public that the safety of their staff and customers was their highest priority.

“Please be assured that we are taking every action and doing everything in our power to protect our people and you, our customers, who remain the highest priority,” he added.

“I understand that times like these can be unsettling and frightening. At Woolworths, we are standing strong in the values that have guided us for decades and helped shape the organisation we are today. Targeted attacks will not deter us.”

The US Embassy and consulates in South Africa have since issued a warning to US citizens about visiting the Menlyn Shopping Centre.

“US citizens should avoid the area until further notice. SAPS is still investigating the situation, and it is unclear whether this was an isolated incident,” the alert read.

The embassy warned US citizens to be aware of their surroundings, report suspicious activities, avoid large crowds, and monitor local media for updates.

This is not the first time explosive devices have been found in Woolworths stores.

In July 2018, explosive devices were found at the same retail chain in Gateway Mall and at the Pavilion Shopping Centre.

One found at Gateway Mall appeared to be a cellphone attached to a pipe, but it did not explode.

That same month, KwaZulu-Natal police discovered two explosive devices under two separate vehicles in Berea, Durban.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated with additional information.