Bellville Man Jailed for False Bomb Threats

• Sentencing of Ferdinand Fortuin for False Bomb Threats: Ferdinand Fortuin was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for making false bomb threats that caused the evacuation of thousands in Bellville, after admitting to fabricating the threats to avoid work.
• Details of the Threats and Evacuations: Fortuin’s threats led to the evacuation of multiple sites, including the Department of Water and Sanitation offices, Transnet Park Building, and Bellville taxi rank, involving hundreds of people, although no explosives were found.
• Police and Emergency Response: The police response involved bomb disposal units, K-9 teams, and visible policing at the targeted sites, resulting in extensive evacuations and road closures.

The Bellville Regional Court has sentenced 50-year-old Ferdinand Fortuin to five years’ direct imprisonment for making false bomb threats that led to the evacuation of thousands of people in Bellville.

On 11 November 2024, Fortuin contacted the Bellville Police Station and a toll-free emergency number, claiming he had planted bombs at the Department of Water and Sanitation offices, the Transnet Park Building, and the Bellville taxi rank. These calls followed a night of heavy drinking, with Fortuin later admitting he made the threats to avoid going to work.

His actions triggered a massive police response. At the Water and Sanitation offices on Voortrekker Road, 164 people were evacuated, while 151 were cleared from the department’s Bellville South offices. The Transnet Park Building was evacuated of 250 people, and the Bellville taxi rank saw 3,000 people removed before roads in the area were closed. Bomb disposal technicians, the K-9 Dog Unit, and visible policing members were deployed to all sites, but no explosives were found.

Fortuin, a first-time offender, pleaded guilty to three counts under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorism and Related Activities Act (POCDATARA). Although the minimum prescribed sentence is 15 years, the court considered his remorse, guilty plea, and personal circumstances before imposing a reduced sentence.

The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the conviction and warned that anyone making similar threats will face severe legal consequences.