This comes after the USA government warned its citizens in South Africa about possible terror attacks by Islamic militants. “You should be vigilant at this time”, the statement said.
Advertisement
There have been reports that “White Widow” Samantha Lewthwaite was seen spying on Western embassies in South Africa before she allegedly masterminded the West Gate shopping mall attack in Nairobi, Kenya in 2013. “We are also working closely with SAPS”.
This is the second alert it has issued for South Africa in under a year.
It said the warning came against the backdrop of a call from ISIS to its supporters to “carry out terrorist attacks globally during the upcoming month of Ramadan”.
The response by South Africa follows a warning by the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to South Africa.
Mahlobo said in a statement: “It is the responsibility of the South African security forces to ensure that all people within our territory are and feel safe”.
However it sparked a diplomat incident when South African worldwide relations spokesman Clayson Monyela objected in a tweet to USA ambassador Patrick Gaspard, saying: “The last advisory by @USEmbassySA to United States citizens in SA warning of an “imminent attack” proved to be a false alarm”.
The warning identified upmarket shopping areas and malls in the commercial hub of Johannesburg and Cape Town, widely regarded as South Africa’s tourism capital, as the main target areas in the suspected planned attacks. The level of this advice has not changed.
Anton du Plessis said: “To say that we shouldn’t be concerned is naive and to respond as the government has, is irresponsible”.
There was “no need to panic”, it said.
On Saturday, the embassy said it would remain open.
“Whatever they are warning their citizens about, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is going to happen or it is a fact”.
Advertisement
State Security Minister David Mahlobo downplayed the USA government’s terror alert on Monday, giving assurances that his department was doing all it could to keep South Africa safe against attacks.
