News

SA bank working on bombproof ATMs

June 4, 2012

To combat a spate of bombings, the most recent in Cape Town, South Africa, FNB is looking at ways to bombproof ATM enclosures.

“We hope that this will prevent this kind of crime,” FNB media liaison officer Steve Higgins said in a report at Independent Online.

The Western Cape experienced its 18th ATM bombing of the year yesterday morning. It is not yet known whether the bombers were able to take any cash.

Police are not yet sure what group is responsible for the recent bombings the Independent said. Some speculate that the bombers may have relocated from another province. Others think it could be the work of a newly formed syndicate or of a cash-in-transit-gang that has changed its MO.

An FNB representative told the Independent that the bank was reviewing bombed locations to determine whether they were safe for reinstallation. Sites in high-crime areas probably would not get replacement ATMs, he said.

For more on this topic, visit the security research center.