By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The United States (US) government issued a security alert on Wednesday and warned its embassy staff about a possible terrorist attack in Sandton.
“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 in Johannesburg this weekend, the embassy said in the statement.
“There is no further information regarding the timing, method, or target of the potential attack.”
The embassy has advised its staff to avoid crowds of people and other large public gatherings in the area over the coming weekend. While South Africa has high levels of crime, Johannesburg — the nation’s biggest city and financial hub — hasn’t experienced a mass attack in decades.
Islamic State has previously threatened to carry out attacks on South Africa for its involvement in a counter-insurgency operation in northeastern Mozambique, where the Islamist militants have been carrying out attacks since 2017. The nation is among members of the Southern African Development Community, a 16-member economic bloc, that deployed forces last year to help the Mozambican government quell the violence.
The alert sparked fears for the LGBTQIA+ community, which is expected to host its Pride Parade in Sandton this weekend.
The organisers were unable to comment at the time of publishing the story.
The minister in the presidency Mondli Gungubele has rejected the US government’s cautionary warning. He said South Africa followed up asking for evidence, but none was given.
The minister said that threats are assessed continuously and are acted upon to ensure the safety of all. However, it downplayed any immediate danger.
Gungubele said it would urgently inform South Africans of immediate threats, should the need arise.
Meanwhile the UK embassy in South Africa updated its travel advice for its citizens following the alert, saying that they should stay away from crowds and large public gatherings in the Sandton area on the dates identified in the alert.
France, Canada and Australia also followed the advice from the United States and warning their citizens to steer clear of crowds in Sandton this weekend.
Businesses in Sandton, said they are also monitoring the situation.
Liberty Two Degrees, which has Sandton City in its portfolio, issued an alert to shareholders on Thursday (27 October) saying that businesses are trading as normal.
“Shareholders are advised that L2D is aware of the notification by the US Embassy in South Africa of a possible terrorist attack in the greater Sandton area, planned for the 29th and the 30th of October 2022,” it said.
“The safety of all our shoppers, tenants, service providers and stakeholders is of paramount importance. In partnership with the authorities, we are actively monitoring the situation and have appropriate security measures in place in and around Sandton City, which includes Nelson Mandela Square, offices, hotels and the Sandton Convention Centre.”