The Presidency has reacted to US warnings of a possible terror attack in the Sandton area, north of Johannesburg, by saying threats to the country are assessed on a continuous basis and acted upon to ensure the safety of all citizens.
The US Embassy issued a terror alert on Wednesday warning there may be an attack in the Sandton area this weekend.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says, “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.”
Magwenya adds that “Should the need arise; the South African government will be the first to inform the public about any imminent threat.”
A possible terrorist attack in Johannesburg sparks concern: Willem Els
‘ISIS and ISIS-Mozambique alleged facilitators’
The US Government’s warning follows a decision in March by the US Treasury to sanction four ISIS and ISIS-Mozambique financial facilitators in the country.
The US Embassy statement in Pretoria says they have no additional information regarding the timing, method, or target of the potential attack on October 29th, this coming Saturday.
The US Government in March designated the four alleged financial facilitators in South Africa under a 2001 Executive Order that seeks to impede terrorist funding. It listed Farhad Hoomer, Siraaj Miller, Abdella Hussein Abadigga and Peter Charles Mbanga, adding that ISIS members and associates in South Africa were playing a role in facilitating the transfer of funds from the top of the ISIS hierarchy to branches across Africa.
The listings were done in line with an Executive Order that enables the US Government to disrupt the financial support networks of terrorists and their organisations including blocking the assets of individuals and entities in relation to their illegal activities.
The latest South Africa alert comes after a similar dispatch was issued in Nigeria warning of a possible terrorist attack in Abuja.
Sherwin Bryce-Pease provides us with some potential background to these latest developments:
