South Africa is on high alert after the Unites States issued a warning that terrorists may be planning to conduct an attack targeting large gatherings of people at an unspecified location in Sandton, South Africa.
The statement said that no further information regarding the timing, method or target of the potential attack.
In a highly unusual statement, American diplomats warned locals in Sandton that a potential terror incident ‘was imminent’, and they have advised all staff and US citizens to avoid large crowds there on Saturday.
This weekend, a number of Pride events led by the LGBTQI+ community are set to take place in Sandton, but it hasn’t yet been established if this is meant to be ‘the target’.
The statement read: “The US government has received information that terrorists may be planning to conduct an attack targeting large gatherings of people at an unspecified location in the Greater Sandton area of Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday 29 October 2022.”
“There is no further information regarding the timing, method, or target of the potential attack. The US Embassy has advised staff to avoid crowds of people and other large public gatherings in the Greater Sandton region.” US Embassy
South Africa’s Minister in the presidency Mondli Gungubele has downplayed threats apparently aimed at Sandton this weekend.
News 24 writes that Gungubele says he has checked this with his security unit and they are not a bit disturbed. “This alarm has been going on but up to this point it is not backed up by any evidence,” said Gungubele.
Gungubele’s office oversees state security, which reports directly to the president after the scrapping of the intelligence ministry last August.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said: “The South African government has noted the terror alert issued by the US Embassy on its website.
“This is part of the US government’s standard communication to its citizens. It is the responsibility of the South African security forces to ensure that all people within our country feel safe.
“Law enforcement agencies continue to monitor for any threats to our citizens, our nation and our sovereignty. Threats are assessed continuously and are acted upon to ensure the safety of all. Should the need arise; the South African government will be the first to inform the public about any imminent threat,” said Magwenya.
