Breaking: UK government issues terror travel alert for SA

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Breaking: UK government issues terror travel alert for SA

4:22 CAT | 22 Feb 2018

Image: Reuters

The UK has issued a travel alert to its citizens saying terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in South Africa.
The United Kingdom (UK) has issued a travel alert to its citizens saying terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in South Africa.

The UK Foreign Service says this follows the kidnapping of two South African-British nationals. www.gov.uk says attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners such as shopping areas in major cities, and there’s a heightened threat of terrorist attacks globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. News reports suggest that a number of South African nationals have travelled to Syria, Iraq and Libya.

They are likely to pose a security threat on their return, and the main threat is from extremists linked to Daesh .

“The main threat is from extremists linked to Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL). In February 2018, two South African-British nationals were kidnapped,” read a terse statement on the government’s online travel advisory for South Africa.

“News reports suggest that a number of South African nationals have travelled to Syria, Iraq and Libya. They are likely to pose a security threat on their return. There’s also a threat from individuals who may have been inspired by terrorist groups, including Daesh, to carry out so called ‘lone actor’ attacks targeting public places including where foreigners may gather.”

On Monday, Sayfydeen Aslam Del Vecchio, 38, and Fatima Patel, 27, briefly appeared at the Vryheid Magistrate Court after they were arrested by the Hawks in Durban for their possible involvement in the kidnapping of two British nationals on February 12. The kidnapping was suspected to have been taken place near Bivane dam, Vryheid in KwaZulu-Natal.

The pair face charges of kidnapping, robbery and arson, as well as charges related to arson after they were accused of setting alight several hectares of cane fields in 2017 worth R2 million at Tongaat-Hulett plantations.

They are expected to appear again on March 1 for a formal application.

Meanwhile, the UK government has issued a travel alert warning UK citizens against possible terrorist activity in South Africa. https://t.co/30E7pcpO6Z

— Lezanne (@Lizira00) February 22, 2018