Bomb threat for Cape Town
2006-12-28 19:09
Johannesburg - Police are looking for eight pipe bombs in the Western Cape after a man was denied bail in the Malmesbury magistrate's court on Thursday, SABC news reported.
The man, who is alleged to have links to the People Against Gangsterism and Drugs, an organisation that terrorised the Western Cape in the late 90s, was arrested last month after a tip-off.
The court said that in order to ensure the public's safety, the accused could not be granted bail.
He was allegedly in possession of three pipe bombs when arrested on his way from Malmesbury to Cape Town.
The Malmesbury magistrate's court heard that urban terrorists were planning an attack on Cape Town's main tourist area.
Police said they had received phone threats that the V&A Waterfront was a target for pipe bomb attacks.
The caller allegedly told police that 11 pipe bombs were being circulated, SABC news reported.
The 46-year-old accused has a prison record and has been connected to similar cases.
In 2000, he was implicated in the Keg & Swann incident where a pipe bomb was due to detonate at the popular restaurant at lunchtime.
Police diffused the bomb.
Charges against the accused were later dropped, but indications are that the charges will be re-instated against the Athlone man.
The case has been postponed to February 5.
- SAPA