Residents in Voorbrug, Delft, had a rude awakening in the early hours of Wednesday morning when robbers bombed an ATM in Main Road.
However, even though the bang was loud enough to wake up the dead, the Nedbank ATM remained intact, and the dom diewe ran off empty-handed.
The ATM is situated in a wall, and the blast caused some damage to the adjacent doctor/dentist surgery.
Windows were shattered and the Delft Medi Centre was closed for the day.
Regulars at the supermarket say they are disappointed because the small shopping mall, one of the first in the area, is now not a safe place anymore.
Carol Davids, 54, from Voorbrug, says she bought her first electricity at the Pick 'n Save Superette.
“I used to send my children here and now send my grandchildren, but it’s not right, jong, die goed is vuil and now we are no longer safe, even at the shops. I can’t live like this. We are hostages. I can’t walk in my own community,” the ouma says.
Jamiel Jacobus, 26, from Roosendal, says he comes to the hardware store often.
He fears doctors and other professionals might now refuse to come to Delft as they may not deem it safe.
“The doctor is a very important part of our community. Dr Kathrada is always here for everybody, and he is not a junk doctor. It isn’t right what these boewe are doing. They got nothing but a moerse skrik, die dom goed.”
Lieutenant-Colonel Andrè Traut confirms the incident.
“[Yesterday] at around 2.30am, an explosive device was detonated at an ATM in Delft Main Road, causing damage to the machine. It is suspected the suspects fled empty-handed and they are yet to be arrested. The circumstances are being investigated,” he says.