PRETORIA – Tshwane police have launched a comprehensive investigation following an early-morning explosion inside the Woolworths store at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre. The South African Police Service confirmed that no injuries or fatalities were reported in the blast, which occurred during the early hours of Thursday morning, 28 May 2026.

Preliminary details indicate that an unknown explosive device detonated on one of the retail shelves at approximately 01:00 am. Five night-shift packers were actively working on duty inside the store at the time of the blast, but fortunately, all employees escaped the incident without harm. The physical damage caused by the detonation was strictly limited to nearby food items and the store’s shelving units.

SAPS Tshwane spokesperson Captain Johan van Dyk confirmed that specialized police units, including forensics and bomb disposal teams, were deployed to process the scene. Authorities have officially registered a criminal case under the Explosives Act as they work to identify the nature of the device and establish a motive. In the meantime, mall management has assured the public that the shopping centre remains safe for consumers, while Woolworths continues to cooperate fully with law enforcement.