ISS: US Embassy’s Sandton terror warning should not be ignored

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) said on Friday the terror warning by the United States Embassy should not be ignored or taken lightly.

The embassy issued a warning this week saying terrorists may be planning an attack in the Sandton area.

It advised its staff to avoid crowds of people and other large public gatherings this weekend.

Joburg Pride is the largest event to be held in Sandton this weekend and the organizers have said the event will go ahead.

The institute’s Martin Ewi said the alert issued by the United States Embassy was in line with its obligation to its citizens but should not be ignored by those who aren’t Americans.

But he also said an alert like this one was nothing new: “No one should ignore something of this nature. We have seen cases where these kinds of alerts have materialized and we have seen many cases where they have not happened. In South Africa, they have been issuing these alerts since 2009.”

While restaurants and establishments said they will remain open, Ewi said at any sign of danger or suspicion it would be best to leave the Sandton area.

NATJOINTS NOTES TERRORISM THREAT WARNING

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) said it has noted with concern what it calls the proliferation of false messages about possible targets of terrorist attacks in the country.

Natjoints which includes the State Security Agency, police, and the defence force issued a statement on Friday afternoon, reiterating that safety and security of citizens remains a priority.

Natjoints said the United States terror threat alert came at a time when law enforcement had been heightened.

However, the statement isn’t clear on whether there will be a greater police presence in Sandton this weekend.

Natjoint’s Robert Netshiund said the South African intelligence community has engaged their US counterparts with the expectation that credible information will be shared.

The State Security Agency lambasted the US embassy, insisting there was no threat to national security.

-EWN

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