The United Kingdom’s embassy in South Africa has published a warning on its official website for British nationals in or planning to travel to South Africa, citing a risk of terrorist attacks. The statement comes amid a lack of detailed evidence and formal communication, causing tensions between the UK and South Africa to escalate.
The UK embassy’s cautionary message is clear: “terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in South Africa”. This warning is rooted in concerns over individuals inspired by extremist groups such as Daesh (ISIS), with the potential for ‘lone actor’ attacks posing a particular threat. According to the UK’s advisory, these attacks could indiscriminately target public places frequented by both locals and tourists, including malls, landmarks, and high-profile events.
The advisory also linked the raised alert level to the ongoing conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, which has contributed to a global increase in tension. “Terrorist groups, such as Al-Qaida and Daesh, have called on their supporters to carry out terrorist attacks in response to the conflict, and this could motivate individuals to carry out attacks,” the embassy’s statement highlighted, urging British citizens to stay vigilant and avoid crowded areas.
However, the South African Government, represented by International Relations director-general Zane Dangor, has responded critically to the UK’s alert. Dangor dismissed the warning as “unfounded with no evidence,” and expressed frustration over the UK’s failure to provide concrete proof or to engage through recognized diplomatic channels.
Willem Els, a terrorism expert at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), weighed in on the procedural aspects of such alerts, noting that they typically follow intelligence reports which ought to be shared and deliberated upon with affected nations’ authorities. Despite this protocol, Dangor contends that the UK has neither substantiated its claims nor justified its unilateral decision to issue the public alert.
“We asked them where this credible threat came from, and they still have not given us a proper explanation,” Dangor lamented, refuting the notion that South Africa faces a heightened risk of a terrorist attack without verifiable intelligence.
This recent advisory from the UK aligns with a pattern of similar warnings from Western embassies, reminiscent of a US alert from October 2022 regarding potential terrorist activities in Sandton. Such cautionary statements have historically prompted mixed reactions, balancing the imperative of public safety against concerns of unjustified fearmongering.
The South African Government has reassured its citizens that it remains vigilant and committed to communicating any legitimate threats to public safety promptly, maintaining a stance of skepticism towards the UK’s latest alert pending the receipt of more substantial information.
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