No evidence of Sandton terrorism threat, says SA government

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No evidence of Sandton terrorism threat, says SA government

8:36 CAT | 27 Oct 2022

FILE - South Africa's Minister in the presidency Mondli Gungubele dismisses terror attack claims. File photo: GCIS]

South Africa’s Minister in the presidency Mondli Gungubele has downplayed threats of a terrorism attack scheduled for Sandton, Johannesburg this weekend.

“I have checked this with my security unit and we are a bit disturbed. This alarm has been going on but up to this point it is not backed up by any evidence,” said Gungubele.

Gungubele’s office oversees state security, which reports directly to the president after the scrapping of the intelligence ministry last August.

The US government issued a terrorist attack warning that could target large gatherings in Sandton, Johannesburg, this weekend.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said: “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. Threats are assessed continuously and are acted upon to ensure the safety of all. Should the need arise; the South African government will be the first to inform the public about any imminent threat,” said Magwenya.

The US embassy said in a statement: “The US government has received information that terrorists may be planning to conduct an attack targeting large gatherings of people at an unspecified location in the greater Sandton area of Johannesburg, South Africa, on 29 October 2022.

“There is no further information regarding the timing, method, or target of the potential attack.

“The US embassy has advised staff to avoid crowds of people and other large public gatherings in the greater Sandton area of Johannesburg during the weekend of October 29-30 2022.”

National police spokesperson Lt Col Rober Netshiunda referred SowetanLIVE to the presidency, saying matters relating to terrorism were handled by the highest office in the land.

READ: US warns of possible terror attack in South Africa hub

In response to the numerous inquiries the U.S. Mission to South Africa has received, kindly note the safety alert issued earlier today.https://t.co/IiMEIMdM6a

— US Embassy SA (@USEmbassySA) October 26, 2022