Bomb Injures 14 in Busy Pretoria Shopping Center
A bomb exploded in a busy shopping center in downtown Pretoria today where the air force has its headquarters, and at least 14 people were injured, police said.
The blast occurred shortly after 1 p.m. on the ground floor of the Poyntons Building. The main offices of the nation’s air force are on the upper floors of the building, along with headquarters of the prison services.
Thirteen whites, including two children, and one black were among those injured, police said. Hospital officials said none of the injuries were serious.
No information was immediately available on the extent of damage to the building, police said.
The bomb was the latest in a recent series of attacks aimed at civilian targets. There have been about 90 bombings since the government declared a nationwide state of emergency in June, 1986. About 25 have occurred this year.
The deadliest blast in South African history occurred on the street outside the Poyntons Building in May, 1983, when a car bomb exploded, killing 19 people and injuring about 200.
Police have placed blame for virtually all the attacks on the outlawed African National Congress guerrilla group, the main organization trying to overthrow South Africa’s government and end white domination. The ANC, based in Lusaka, Zambia, seldom confirms or denies involvement in attacks.
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