Sandton Terrorist Attack: Ramaphosa Breaks Silence Says US Embassy’s Warning Is Unfounded

• President Cyril Ramaphosa debunked the rumours of a terrorist attack in Sandton
• The president cleared the air while welcoming Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to the nation for a state visit
• Ramaphosa also criticised the US Embassy for not following proper protocol when it issued the security alert

PRETORIA - President Cyril Ramaphosa has rubbished the security alert issued by the embassy of the United States of America.

The alert, which warned of a possible terrorist attack in Sandton this weekend, has had South Africans on edge, but President Ramaphosa assured that the claims are unfounded.

The president made the assurance during his opening address at the beginning of a state visit by Spanish head of state Pedro Sánchez in Pretoria on Thursday, 27 October, EWN reported.

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US terror alert in S.Africa 'unfortunate': Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa also criticised the US Embassy for not following protocol in releasing the alert. The president added that the South African government is currently engaging with the embassy to find out where it received its information and is continuing to look into the claims TimesLIVE reported.

South Africans react to President Ramaphosa's assurances

South Africans don't know who to believe, the nation's president or the leaders of the free world.

Here are some comments:

@OfentseZA asked:

Does ZA not have intelligence if we are being warned about a terrorist attack by the US embassy?

Veaney Hanson Mooloo claimed:

"Can we blame them for being proactive? As the world knows how slapgat government of SA is."

Kamogelo Mokotedi speculated:

"He's embarrassed, if the attack happens, he will be shocked on Monday, and Bheki Cele will visit the victim's families."

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Sandton Terrorist Threat: Sandton City Says Business As Usual With Beefed Up Security

Annette Van Rensburg added:

"They probably reported it to Sandton police station, but no action was taken."

Sizwe Sethu commented

"Unfortunately, I believe the Americans more than our government. We don't have intelligence in our country."

Sandton terrorist threat: Organisers consider cancelling events as UK also raises alarm

In a related story, Briefly News reported that event organisers in Sandton are considering shutting down activities and parties after a security alert warning of a possible terrorist attack.

The US embassy raised the alarm on Wednesday, 26 October, when it released a statement claiming that terrorists may be planning a coordinated attack in the greater Sandton area on Saturday, 29 October.

While the US embassy's security alert was vague, the UK government has released a more detailed warning indicating that the main threat is from extremists linked to Daesh, formerly known as ISIL.

Source: Briefly News