Faizel Patel, 2016-06-08
The South African Government says it is displeased in the way terror alerts were handled in the country and has made a formal demarche on embassies.
The US Embassy issued a warning on its website earlier this week of planned imminent attacks on it citizens at shopping centres and malls.
It said the information comes against the backdrop of ISIS public call for its adherents to carry out terrorist attacks globally during the month of Ramadan.
The British and Australian embassies also updated their travel advisers warning of imminent terrorist threats and attacks in South Africa.
Yesterday News24 reported terror claims by an East African businessman living in South Africa were said to be behind the security alert issued by the US Embassy.
According to the online news website, a source with access to South African intelligence said, however, that the businessman was believed by South Africa to be a “discredited” informer who was only after the money he’d be paid for the information.
In a tweet the International Relations Department’s Clayson Monyela said the statement issued by the government of its displeasure of the terrorist attack warnings is the strongest that he had prepared and was approved at the highest level.
The full statement is as follows:
Government displeased with the manner in which the alerts about South Africa were handled.
The South African government takes the threat of violent extremism and terrorism very seriously. It is a global phenomenon that no nation can claim immunity from.
As part of their work, our security agencies are in constant liaison with foreign intelligence services represented in South Africa. Their work includes information exchanges on threats presented by violent extremism and terrorism.
South Africa as a sovereign peace loving country has always adopted a professional manner in engaging with other countries on these issues. We are, therefore displeased with the manner in which some countries have reciprocated. Their actions have been disingenuous and a cause for serious concern to our government.
The information provided as a basis for the latest terror alerts on South Africa has been found to be very sketchy. On closer examination, we have found the information to be dubious, unsubstantiated and provided by a “walk-in” source based on questionable conclusions.
It is within this context that the South African government rejects attempts by foreign countries to influence, manipulate or control our country’s counter terrorism work. We reject attempts to generate perceptions of government ineptude, alarmist impressions and public hysteria on the basis of a questionable single source.
The South African government is fully capable of securing our country, protecting our people and taking care of the safety of foreign citizens on our soil. We expect foreign embassies on our soil to follow the correct channels when communicating matters of such nature.
To this end, the South African government has demarched the affected embassies to register our displeasure with the manner in which the matter was handled.
South Africa values the political, economic and social ties with these countries and will approach any discussion within the spirit of cooperation and international solidarity.
Government wishes to reiterate that the security of all people in South Africa remains its top priority. The security services will continue to remain vigilant at all times. Should the need arise, the South African government will be the first to inform the public about any imminent threat.
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