TWO businesses in the Southern Cape were targeted at the weekend by thieves who used explosive charges to blow open their safes.

Southern Cape police spokesman Captain Bernadine Steyn said yesterday an undisclosed amount of cash had been taken from a safe at a chain store in Oudtshoorn. She said an employee had noticed the damaged safe on Sunday morning.

On Friday, an employee at a food store in George also noticed a safe had been damaged by explosives. However, the door could not be opened and no cash was taken.

Charges of housebreaking and theft, attempted theft and a charge under the Explosives Act were being investigated.

“In both incidents entry was gained through the roof during the night. We are investigating the possibility that the two incidents might be linked,” Steyn said.

No one has been arrested. – Janine Oelofse