Bloemfontein – A second explosion has rocked a Woolworths store, this time at Preller Square in Bloemfontein, just a day after a similar blast at the retailer’s Menlyn Mall branch in Pretoria, reports said on Friday.
According to IOL, the latest incident occurred at about 3am on Friday, prompting an investigation by the Hawks and explosives experts. Free State police said the scene was still being processed to determine whether additional explosive devices may have been planted.
Hawks spokesperson Fikiswa Matoti said the store manager was alerted by a security company about the explosion inside the store, after which emergency personnel and the explosives unit were dispatched to the scene.
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Despite the blast, other parts of the shopping centre reopened to the public, although the affected Woolworths section remained closed off.
“Our explosives unit is still busy at the scene, processing the entire area to determine whether there was a secondary explosion or another device that may have been stored or placed somewhere,” the report quoted Matoti as saying.
”While the shopping centre itself had reopened, the affected section of the Woolworths store remained sealed off.
“For now, other parts of the mall are open to the public and workers.”
The explosion follows a similar incident at the retailer’s Menlyn Mall branch in Pretoria early on Thursday morning, where an explosive device allegedly detonated on a shelf while five packers were stocking goods.
#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
According to Tshwane police spokesperson Johan van Dyk, no injuries were reported in the Pretoria incident, and damage was limited to shelves and food items.
The South African quoted OFM as saying that the Hawks are expected to continue probing the explosions, which, although they caused no injuries, have sparked concern over the possible motive and origin of the incidents.
“The scene has been handed over to the Hawks for further investigation,” said Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli, the provincial police spokesperson in the Free State.
“The explosion occurred within an enclosed area of the Woolworths store, causing a loud noise, although the area itself was not extensive.”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
