By now you may all have heard about the threat on US citizens within South Africa during the month of Ramadan. It has been a big topic of conversation across social media platforms with some people dismissing the claims and others fearing for their lives. One of the most talked about targets is the V & A Waterfront, being a hub for tourists and locals alike. Here is what we know about the supposed threat thus far.
Over the weekend, the United States, British and Australian embassies alerted South Africa on possible terror attacks planned for malls in Cape Town and Johannesburg, as a result shopping centres have stepped up their security in an effort to ensure customer safety.
SA malls tighten security after terror attack warnings #usterroralert https://t.co/PphRdBmsQp pic.twitter.com/GDh0cr8yWh
— TheSouthAfrican.com (@TheSAnews) June 7, 2016
According to News24, the US government said it had received information that terrorist groups are planning to carry out near-term attacks against places where US citizens congregate in South Africa. This information comes against the backdrop of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’s public call for its adherents to carry out terrorist attacks globally during the month of Ramadan which started on Tuesday.
Ten months ago a similar warning was declared which turned out to be a false alarm.
British embassy’s Isabel Potgieter said the UK government was not advising its citizens against travel to South Africa, according to News24. Australia’s government said, ‘The US government issued a terrorism alert to its citizens in South Africa on June 4, 2016.’
EWN reports that the American embassy received specific credible threat information that they had to share according to worldwide policies.
While international governments are issuing warnings, our own government feels that there is no imminent danger. State Security Minister David Mahlobo downplayed the US government’s terror alert, assuring the public that his department was doing all it could to keep South Africa safe against possible attacks.
‘The state security agency and other security agencies in this country are very much capable of keeping South Africa safe and everybody in this country, including Americans,’ says Foreign Affair’s Ministry Spokesman Clayson Monyela.
The premier, Helen Zille says national security agents are researching the matter thoroughly, and stated that the warnings are very concerning. The Tourism Business Council of South Africa has also urged the local travel and tourism industry to be vigilant.
V&A Waterfront’s Carla White says that the Waterfront is on high alert and has responded under the guidelines of the South African security services. ‘We continue a cooperative relationship with SAPS, who has increased their presence and vigilance on our property. Similarly, we have added our own measures on various operational levels. These measures are both visible and discreet,’ says Carla.
It is imperative that we all exercise a level of vigilance especially in areas that are particularly frequented by tourists. There appears to be no immediate danger as of yet, but we have been warned to be on high alert, especially within the month of Ramadan.
We appeal to you to keep your eyes and ears open and if you see anything suspicious, report it to the authorities immediately. Contact SAPS on: +27 21 467 8001/2/2/7
What are your thoughts? Will you be shopping at the big Cape Town malls this month?
Photography V & A Waterfront
How does extra men with walkie talkies beef up security. They The first to run and for good reason coz they don’t get paid fall on a bomb or jump in front of a gunman.
We will moer those terrorist ourselves just watch it.
What does South Africa have that the West wants so dearly???
Fear mongering nonsense
Lol doesnt make sense. Malls will be full of Muslims doing Eid Shopping!
Its Governement fear tactics to take peoples minds off the real issues and riots going on currently.
It is not the West who are terrorist attackers. Maybe you misunderstood the warning?
The same warning went to Turkey, and yesterday 11 people died in a car bomb attack in Istanbul.
Stay safe my SA friends !
Maybe it’s a diversion so they can attack somewherw else? Why would terrorists give out the locations of where they will attack?
World out there is all about destructiveness and greed
I personally think tht it a hoaks…the Americans is using this to get non muslims to react in voilent ways towards muslims due to fear of their lives…the Americans are aware that South Africa consists of the most Muslims that are true believers and they want to destroy the Muslims…their goal is to have power over everything and rule ..so this is how they start wars against our people by spreading lies…think about it..really would they tell us about the attack..and in the Holy month of Ramadaaan
Please people think carefully before you react
The Americans wants to create a war against Iraq.. they want countries to join forces with them to attack Iraq for their oil
Be safe lol Niven Govender Trishen Nair
The West has interest in SA’s stockpile of weapons grade uranium.. SA has been adamant to protect it’s resource. ISIS has probably been assigned the role of terrorist attacks and thereby create questions around the security of the Uranium at Pilandaba.
Yes and there are more Muslims in our malls than British or Americans. They can just go to Sandton to see how many ladies are in their Muslim attire. Probably a handfulAmericans
in the VNA and in Sandton even less!!! So ISSIS only targeting more Muslims if
true? ??which I think dumb and would only be targeting more Muslims than Americans. Really idiotic. ..
Its completely stupid. Just doesnt make sense. Although ISIS and Boko Haram have killed more Muslims than any other relegion/culture. They are part of the Refugee crisis in Syria and other Middle Eastern countries. I dont even want to go into how ISIS (Daesh) the abomination is controlled by the west. We as Muslims have categorically stated that they are not Muslim and dont follow our teachings.
One thing is for sure, nothing ever goes to Durban – not even concerts. let alone ISIS 🙂
Sounds like it’s all pre arranged… Smells fishy
This is quite ridiculous,doesn’t make sense at all,USA trying to destroy whatever they touch
Stay safe please Ori Tobias
It’s a joke .. Government will blame this on bad growth for this sector caused by racism .. Watch U0001f648U0001f648U0001f607
They are sick in there heads. Pure evil,may God have no mercy on there souls.
Celeste Barendse – maybe you misunderstand how my country (the USA) uses terrorism to enrich itself.
Someone should let the terrorists know that the biggest shopping mall with the most Americans can be found at Nkandla in KZN.
Wow. That headline is written as if it’s DEFINITELY going to happen. How about ‘CT Malls prepare for POSSIBLE terrorist attacks’ ? or “CT Malls on ALERT for possible attacks” That might make it slightly less sensationalist.
Your country indeed …and I quote your very own words …”uses terrorism to enrich themselves”.!!!
Why would they warn South Africa???They have an ace up their sleeve…
Freedom from fear. Hence the US creating a threat.
Actually it comes directly from the US Embassy
Just avoid places frequented by Americans…they are the intended target and this warning came from the US Embassy not from the SA government.
Why is it that American make statements without any concrete evidence? Personally evedince acros the world indicate that they behind all these terror groups. What are the planning. Maybe the ANC is right. South Africa is to peaceful where religious tolerance is concern and they will do anything to destroy it. The BDS and anti Ireal resistance is also big on SA, so best is to create animosity between faiths especially against Muslims thus breaking the power of the anti resistance groups. The planners of these schemes can very well be NGO’s, bussiness and parties that the support Zionism in SA.
The US …masters at creating chaos in other countries and causing mayhem …fear and terror all for the love of GOD,Gold,Oil&Drugs(for pharmaceutical use)…look at all the chaos around the World…they send their troops in to keep peace and look at the DISASTER!!!Wars are just a nice name for Greed!!!
So more advanced countries like France and Belgium get attacked with no warning. And suddenly little tiny SA at the bottom tip of Africa gets targeted and warned… doesn’t add up…
….omg this is old news….it was Bulls#!t from an unreliable source….
Exactly same warning went to Paris before their attack same as in Belgium when they were attacked and turkey. It’s warning no one can just sit and blame the USA specially after the uk and Australia have issued a warning. South Africa is supplying Saudi Arabia with weaponry and has been in and out of the Middle East for multiple things. V&A is something that people have automatically said would be hit as it is the main attraction in Cape Town with loads of tourists and locals which would cause mass casualties. Isis does whatever they want when they want including killing their own people. Everyone should just take caution and be aware of what’s going on around them!