Warning of potential terrorist attack in Sandton shouldn't be taken lightly - ISS
The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) says the warnings of a potential terrorist attack in Sandton shouldn't be taken lightly.
This comes after the United States Embassy in South Africa issued a warning to its citizens based in SA about such a possibility.
The embassy issued the warning on Wednesday where it urged its citizens to avoid large gatherings and crowds during the weekend of 29-30 October 2022.
During that weekend, the LGBTQIA+ community are expected to gather in Sandton in celebration of the 33rd Pride Parade.
Senior Researcher on terrorism and crimes at the ISS, Willem Els says the embassy is likely in possession of credible information.
"Normally issuing a warning is part of the procedure for any embassy if they detect any credible threat against their citizens to issue a warning for their citizens because that is their primary responsibility,” he says.
“We also note that should they issue a warning like that and make it public; they are normally in position of fairly credible information about a possible threat. So, I don't think we should take it lightly. I don't think we should panic, but we should also take notice of that and take necessary precautions and avoid areas where there is a possibility of it.”
He adds: “The history of Africa where they were big terrorist attacks, in all of this incidents the foreign intelligence agencies picked it up before the local intelligence agencies and also in South Africa, the local intelligence don't normally give out a warning like this, they try to mitigate it by prevention and other means where foreign embassies because of their duty to their citizens do issue a warning like this.”
“This is not something that the government should take lightly because of the nature and the disruption to the local people and also the economy, so we should regard this and take it in a serious light," says Els.
Els warns citizens who go out on the weekends to be vigilant.
"It is best for citizens to stay at home but if you have to go out be vigilant and be aware of what's happening around and should there be an attack, take cover as soon as possible and above all listen to the instruction of local authorities and police," he says.
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