The Eikestad mall in Stellenbosch came to a standstill at 09:30 this morning after a bomb threat was reported to the police.
Police dogs were used to inspect the building for explosives and traffic was blocked off by police cars in Andringa street.
The entire building was evacuated and cordoned off from the public.
Stellenbosch University drama students who study in the mall were also evacuated. Du Toit Albertze, an eye-witness, said: “Classes have been cancelled and we’re still very shaken. I think it is unfair for us to continue with classes in the BA Building and the Journalism Department. This is bigger than academics.”
Eikestad mall was evacuated after a bomb threat was reported to the police. PHOTO: FRANCOIS SCHIPPERS
A number of businesses also had to be closed as a result of the bomb threat. Kevin McKay, the manager of Market Liquors, was pleased that safety was a top priority: “I’m happy that they’re taking our safety into consideration. If it had been anything else, I would have been upset.”
Other managers were not happy about the developments. The Woolworths manager, Jason Abramowitz, said, “It’s pretty obvious that this will affect our business today, but we can’t really say anything because we have not been told anything.”
The mall was declared safe for the public at 13:20. A policewoman, who would like to remain anonymous, assured MatieMedia that everything was safe and people are permitted to enter the mall. – Christina Pitt