On Friday at around 12:30PM, Cape Town was rocked by news of an explosion in a car on Steenberg Road, although details were initially hard to come by.

The explosion occurred opposite Westlake Square, and just a few kilometres from Steenberg Estate, with the driver of the vehicle having exited Stonehurst Estate minutes before the explosion, headed towards Ou Kaapse Weg.

News24 confirms that the man is a British national, with some initial reports suggesting he was Russian, and that he is in a “stable, yet critical condition”:

…a cellphone-controlled explosive device detonated in his Range Rover…

The man, 48, had sustained “gruesome injuries”, following the explosion on Steenberg Road, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said on Sunday.

Mulaudzi added it could now be confirmed that an explosive device was placed under the driver’s seat of the vehicle.

Greg Muller

They were investigating a case of attempted murder…

“The motive of the threat on his life and those behind it all are now the subject of the Hawks’ serious organised crime investigation team,” said Mulaudzi.

Some reports listed the man’s occupation as an international real estate consultant, although that remains unconfirmed.

As you can see from that picture up top, the explosion ripped through the driver’s seat.

These photos were taken on Friday, once law enforcement had shut down the road:

Tracey Adams/African News Agency (ANA)

Tracey Adams/African News Agency (ANA).

The first person on the scene was Down South Towing owner, Greg Muller, as IOL reports:

…when he arrived on the scene, he could see that the exterior of the vehicle was not damaged but the interior was.

“I saw blood pouring from under the car. I was looking for a second car because I saw debris all over the road. One guy saw the hole in the bottom of the car and that’s when we realised it could be a bomb.”

“I immediately contacted ER24 and called 10111 as well as the bomb unit to assist the injured man,” said Muller.

Muller confirmed that the man’s airbag had also deployed.

Anybody with more information should contact Detective Captain Tony van Beulen on 071 481 3259.

[sources:news24&iol]