Johannesburg, 02 Jun 2000
Police and forensic investigators have confirmed that the explosion at Microsoft SA`s Sunninghill offices earlier today was not accidental, and was indeed caused by a device.
However, details pertaining to the blast are still sketchy. Police spokesman, Inspector Willem de Villiers, comments that: "Forensic analysts and the bomb disposal unit are combing the scene for evidence. At this time we cannot speculate on the motive or the device used to cause the explosion."
The blast took place in the central area close to the canteen at 4:55am. Although the security staff on the premises at the time were reportedly shaken, no injuries were caused, and the only damage inflicted was to windows and outside furniture.
Microsoft`s telephone lines and computer systems remain intact.
Staff were informed this morning via e-mail of the occurrence and advised to work remotely. The area is being kept clear until the police have concluded their investigation.
"With modern technology, we were up and running without any problems this morning, those at home just dialled in, and every one else is out seeing customers," says Mark Hill, MD of Microsoft SA.
Terry Annecke, marketing director of Microsoft SA, says that while mission-critical support is still available, normal support will only be up by Monday. "We`ve always had 24-hour security in place, but until we hear from the police, we won`t know if we could have prevented this."
The few staff members still on the premises don`t seem perturbed. Frederik Jonker, anti-piracy manager for the South East Africa Indian Ocean Islands region, has spent his morning monitoring entry onto the premises. "It`ll be back to work as usual by Monday," he says. "Microsoft is making sure that the staff feel safe - things will soon be back to normal."
Hill confirms that no one has claimed responsibility for the blast, but adds: "It was a hell of a cowardly thing to do. I`m just glad that nobody was hurt."
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