By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Deputy Minister of State Security Zizi Kodwa is in Sandton to allay citizens’ fears in the wake of a terror alert from the United States (US) embassy.
The country was put on high alert on Wednesday after the US embassy in South Africa issued an alert warning of a possible terrorist attack in Sandton on 29 and 30 October. While no details were given, the embassy warned US citizens to steer clear of the area and avoid crowds.
Several other embassies in the country, including the UK, French, Canadian, German and Australian missions, followed suit with their own warnings to their citizens based on the US alert.
Kodwa said that his department was dissatisfied with the US Embassy because it had failed to communicate with the government and share evidence that supported the alert.
On Friday, the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (Natjoints) said law enforcement agencies had already introduced heightened safety measures as part of its Safer Festive Season campaign. In addition to this, Natjoints urged people to avoid mass gatherings. Several events will take place in Sandton this weekend, including the Joburg Pride parade.
Speaking to eNCA ahead of the parade on Saturday, Kodwa said that South Africans had nothing to worry about.
“I am very grateful that the organisers did not cancel or postpone this event,” he said
“South Africans must be alert. South Africans must be vigilant at all times. But as a state, as law enforcement agencies, we have the situation under control.”
The organisers said that after consulting with law enforcement officials, they had decided not to cancel the 33rd edition of the pride march, adding that Johannesburg Pride had not been directly threatened.
“We have consulted with the various entities, and at this point: postponing Pride is hard, proceeding with Pride is hard, and deciding whether or not to attend is a hard decision,” Pride organisers said.
“We urge you to remember the essence of why Pride began. It was, for all intents and purposes, a protest action. We, as a continent, have a very marginalised LGBTQ+ community, we live under constant attack, and there is a constant fear of being arrested in 33 of 54 countries.
“Despite our constitutional rights, we are marginalised in South Africa. The threat has provided an opportunity for homophobes to emerge, inciting a series of homophobic comments directed at Pride and our LGBTQ+ community and the reason for our existence.