P'nP probe 'complicated'

2003-07-09 08:27

Lizel Steenkamp

Cape Town - The investigation into the first known incident of consumer terrorism in South Africa is much more complicated than last year's bomb attacks in Soweto.

Peter Gastrow, director of the Institute for Security Studies in Cape Town, says police are faced with a totally different kettle of fish and a difficult road lies ahead.

"This investigation will test the police's resources to the limit. No one knews whether it's an individual or a group responsible for the action."

What's different this time compared to the terrorist attacks in Gauteng and Mpumalanga in October last year, is that a group is not under suspicion.

Gastrow says it doesn't seem at this stage as if an individual or group is taking responsibility for the extortion and a clear motive hasn't emerged.

Pick 'n Pay has been blackmailed for the past two months by someone who has poisoned four products with cyanide.

"It's definitely the work of someone who has a level of sophistication. It's quite possible that the person is working alone", Gastrow said.

He's of the opinion that the extortionist is raising the stakes as high as possible. "The more pressure the extortionist can exert, the higher the risk for the victim and there's also an increased possibility that he or she will get the money."

Senior superintendent Selby Bokaba, national police spokesperson, asked the public on Tuesday to be patient. A national task force comprising detectives and members of the police's crime intelligence unit are working flat-out to arrest the culprit(s).

"We have to give the task force time to complete their investigation and build a strong case. The investigation is being handled at the highest level."

Bokaba didn't want to give details on which clues were being followed up.

- Beeld