Woolworths is being targeted, says forensic expert
The recent explosions at Woolworths stores in South Africa suggest that the company itself is being targeted rather than members of the public—and it’s too soon to tell if the incidents are over.
This is the feedback from Stan Bezuidenhout, a forensic specialist with experience in bombing incidents and a founding member of the South African Terrorist Analysis Centre.
Bezuidenhout is a highly prominent South African forensic crash reconstructionist, crime scene analyst, and tactical security risk consultant with over 20 years of experience.
He is a veteran of Military Intelligence and a former Specialist Reservist in the South African Police Service (SAPS), where he handled special investigations and risk analysis.
He regularly serves as an expert witness in civil, criminal, and insurance litigation across multiple international jurisdictions, including South Africa, the Middle East, the United States, and Canada.
Bezuidenhout is known for his involvement in high-profile blast investigations, such as the Boksburg LPG truck explosion, and his early tactical competencies are rooted in counter-terrorism.
Speaking with 702 Drive, Bezuidenhout said the recent explosions at Woolworths stores suggest that the retailer itself is being targeted.
He warned that it is still too early to conclude that the incidents are over, particularly as no individual or group has yet claimed responsibility or explained the motive behind the attacks.
“If it were one Woolworths in one area and another retailer in another area, we could imagine that it’s the retail environment that’s being targeted, but clearly this looks like it’s targeted at this group.”
He added that the absence of any public statement from those responsible raises concerns that further incidents could follow.
From a forensic perspective, Bezuidenhout said one of the most important unanswered questions is the nature of the explosive devices used.
“Looking at both instances, they talk about small explosive devices. Now we don’t know what that means,” he said.
According to Bezuidenhout, the term could refer either to a larger but poorly constructed explosive that caused limited damage, or to a very small device made from military-grade or mining-grade explosives.
“The actual design of the device is going to be a key component to look at here, because we don’t know what we’re dealing with, whether this is technically complex or advanced or whether this is an improvised device,” he said.
Unclear whether it’s an individual or a group
He noted that investigators cannot yet rule out a range of possibilities, including an individual acting alone.
“Imagine a disgruntled staff member wanting to teach the group a lesson, and he’s making his own little devices. Maybe that’s what we have,” he said.
However, Bezuidenhout said the timing of the incidents points away from an intention to harm people and towards a message being directed at Woolworths itself.
“Definitely the fact that it’s done overnight when the stores are empty, when there’s no risk, tells me that it’s probably a target at the group rather than a target at any kind of people,” he said.
Even so, he warned against assuming the two explosions were isolated events. Bezuidenhout said investigators are likely facing more questions than answers at this stage.
Among the issues he believes need to be examined are the type of explosive device used, how the affected areas were accessed, whether they were public, staff-only or security-controlled spaces, and what surveillance footage is available.
Woolworths said it is increasing security measures across all stores after explosions hit two of its branches in South Africa on Thursday, 28 May, and Friday, 29 May.
The first incident took place at the Menlyn Park branch in Pretoria, while the second occurred at the Preller Square store in Bloemfontein.
According to Woolworths, both explosions happened between 01h00 and 02h00 when the stores were closed, and no injuries were reported in either incident.
The Hawks have also been appointed to investigate the matter. Woolworths said it was cooperating fully with authorities and would continue to assist investigators as the probe unfolds.
Loading ...