Police investigate explosion inside Woolworths supermarket

Pretoria – Police have launched an investigation after an explosion rocked a Woolworths store at Menlyn Mall in Pretoria during the early hours of Thursday morning.

According to Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk, the incident occurred at the store on Atterbury Road in Menlyn at around 1am on 28 May 2026.

Van Dyk said the store manager received a phone call from staff members stationed at the premises informing him that an explosion had occurred inside the store.

“It is alleged that an unknown explosive device detonated on one of the store shelves,” he said.

#sapsGP [SAPS INVESTIGATES EXPLOSION INCIDENT AT MENLYN WOOLWORTHS]

SAPS in Tshwane has launched an investigation following an explosion incident reported at a Woolworths store situated at Menlyn Mall on Atterbury Road, Menlyn, during the early hours of Thursday morning, 28 May… pic.twitter.com/quhUrumE4D

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) May 28, 2026

Emergency services responded to the scene shortly after the explosion and cordoned off the area while investigations got underway.

At the time of the incident, five packers were working inside the store. No injuries were reported.

Police said the damage was limited to food items and shelving inside the supermarket.

Members of the SAPS Bomb Disposal Unit, K9 Unit, Crime Scene Management and detectives were deployed to the scene to gather evidence and investigate possible leads.

A case of contravention of the Explosives Act, Act 26 of 1956, Section 27(1)(c), has been opened for investigation.

Police said investigations into the incident are continuing.