The United States embassy has warned of a possible terror attack in South Africa’s Johannesburg area this weekend and asked its citizens to avoid areas with large groups of people.
In a notice on Wednesday, the embassy said it had “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 of Johannesburg, South Africa, on 29 October.”
“There is no further information regarding the timing, method, or target of the potential attack,” the notice said.
It advised its staff and other American citizens “to avoid crowds of people and other large public gatherings in the greater Sandton area of Johannesburg during the weekend of 29-30 October.”
In response, the South African government said it “has noted the terror alert issued by the US embassy” and said this was part of the US government’s “standard communication to its citizens.”
“Threats are assessed continuously and are acted upon to ensure the safety of all. Should the need arise; the South African government will be the first to inform the public about any imminent threat,” presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said.
He said South Africa’s law enforcement agencies continued to monitor for “any threats to our citizens, our nation and our sovereignty.”
JN/APA