The police in Warrenton have opened an inquest after the death of a 44-year-old man from Warrenvale after he apparently tried to open a device with a grinder machine.
THE police in Warrenton have opened an inquest after the death of a 44-year-old man from Warrenvale after he apparently tried to open a device with a grinder machine.
Residents believed that it was a bomb.
The deceased sustained serious injuries to his hand, face and body and died a few hours later.
A neighbour, Aubrey Springbok, added that the windows of his house were shattered during the incident.
“If it was a gas bottle the impact of the explosion would not have been that big. I was standing in the kitchen when I heard a loud bang and my whole house was vibrating. I went to seek counselling as I was shaken by the incident. Who will be held responsible for the damages? There was glass everywhere.”
He said that the deceased’s girlfriend and brother-in-law were present at the time of the explosion.
“Thankfully they were not seriously injured. A family member rushed him to the community health centre for urgent medical attention because he was bleeding profusely.”
Benjamin Mothupi indicated that no one knew where his deceased brother, Bennett Mothupi, obtained the explosive device.
“I saw a piece of it but I am not certain if it was a bomb or not. My brother was badly injured and was in a lot of pain. He was treated at the Warrenton community health centre.”
He added that his brother was survived by two children who were living in Johannesburg.
“They will be travelling to Warrenton for his funeral this weekend.”
Police spokesperson, Colonel Cherelle Elhers, said it is believed that the deceased found a discarded gas bottle near the river.
“He apparently tried to grind the bottle open when it exploded. He sustained serious injuries and was transported to hospital. However, he later succumbed to his injuries,” she added.
The SANDF indicated that it did not have any military operations or ammunition depots in Warrenton.
