South African President Cyril Ramaphosa criticized the US for failing to discuss a terror alert issued by the American Embassy with local authorities.
The Embassy warned on Wednesday that Sandton, which is one of South Africa’s wealthiest suburbs may be a target of an attack this weekend, advising its staff to avoid large public gatherings. The UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office issued a travel warning echoing the US statement.
“It’s unfortunate that the US government issued that type of warning without having had deep dive-type discussions with us,” said Ramaphosa on Thursday.
Speaking after meeting with Spain’s President Pedro Sanchez Perez-Castejon at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Ramaphosa said law enforcement agencies were “working around the clock to verify and look closely” at the message from the US Embassy.
“We were able to engage the US to understand precisely where this warning or information came from. We are doing that because warnings such as those cause panic among our people and South Africans should be best informed by the South African government,” he said.
Earlier, international relations and co-operation minister Naledi Pandor urged the global community to collaborate in the fight against terrorism.
“All countries have to unite to combat terrorism. It’s exacting a terrible toll in the Sahel region and whatever we can do together, I think we must all pull our security capacities into a united force against terrorists.
“I am glad the EU has decided on some support to assist us in our battle in Northern Mozambique. This is a war that we must not lose,” she said.
Meanwhile, the City of Johannesburg responded to the alert, saying that it is taking the matter very seriously and is taking extra precautions ahead of the busy weekend events.
“The Johannesburg Multi-Party Government has taken serious note of and action following the security alert issued by the United States Embassy to the Republic of South Africa and the subsequent travel advisory issued by the United Kingdom, which both warn of a potential terrorist attack in Joburg, in particular the Sandton area, over the weekend,” it said.
Source: Business Tech, Times Live, France24, Bloomberg, Africa News, image from Twitter: @SaharaReporters
