A warning from the US embassy about a potential threat of a terrorist attack over the weekend in Johannesburg’s commercial center has been downplayed by South Africa, it appears. On Wednesday, the US embassy in Johannesburg issued a warning to its workers advising them to “avoid crowds of people and any major public gatherings in the wider Sandton area.”
South Africa’s presidency responded by pointing out that the US’s “terror alert” was a component of “the US government’s normal communication to its citizens.”
According to the presidency, it is the duty of the South African security services to guarantee the protection and security of every citizen of the nation. It stated that law enforcement officials were keeping an eye out for any threats to the public and the country.
According to a statement from the presidency, “should the necessity arise, the South African government will be the first to warn the public about any impending threat.”
Local media reported on Wednesday that a minister in the president claimed the alarm had been going on but had not yet been supported by any evidence.
