History of terror attack threats in South Africa

 There has been several terror attack threats issued in South Africa in the past.Although nothing hectic came out of the threats, they still kept people shaking in their boots.December 2002- British authorities warns its citizens of possible attacksBritish authorities warned its citizens that there South Africa could be facingpossible terror attacks.The South Africa's foreign affairs ministry dismissed the claim, labelling it as a general background advisory.This came two months after reported bombings in the country. It was reported that there were a total of eight blasts that took place in October,2002 in the country in places includingSoweto and Bronkhorstspruit.2011- SA authorities arrest an alleged Al-Qaeda financierIt was reported in 2011 that an alleged financier for Al Qaeda was arrested by South African authorities.He was allegedly planning an attack on the Jewish centre in Cape Town butthe plan was foiled by local authorities.The documents, allegedly leaked from State Security Agency, also mentions Samantha Lewthwaite who was knownas the White Widow after allegedly orchestrating the attack at the Westgate shopping mall in Kenya.September 2015- US Department of State spokesperson confirms embassy received intel on possible attack in SAThe US issued a security message to its citizens residing in South Africa of a possible attack on its interest and facilities.Although the alert was played down in the country with people questioning the information's credibility and labelled it as a strategy to destabilise the country, the US Department of State spokesperson in Washington, John Kirby confirmed that the embassy received the information but would not go into details.October 2015- Man allegedly opens fire at Cape Town's central stationA man dressed in a long black gown mysteriously opened fire at Cape Town's central station in October 2015just before turning the gun on himself.It was reported that a resident in the area called police just moments before the shooting reporting to have spotted "two strange men dressed in black" with gloves roaming around.The police dismissed rumours of possible terror group.May 2016-Increasing number of South Africans associating with terror groupsIn May, Minister of State Security David Mahlobo called on all South Africans to help combat terror groups saying that there is an increasing number of locals associating with terror groups.June 2016-US embassy alerts its citizens about a terror threatThe US diplomatic mission in South Africa said it had received information thatterrorist groups were planning to carry out near-term attacksagainst places where US citizens congregated in South Africa‚ such as upscale shopping areas and malls in Johannesburg and Cape Town.June 2016 -Australia and British cautions travellers in South Africa overterror concernExercise a high degree of caution in South Africa: that’s the message from the Australians in the wake of a terror alert by the US Government.Britain also appeared to be concerned as a result of the US alert.Sources:TIME,Palmbeachpost.com,U.S Department of State,ISS Africa,Irish Times

insert2 ads here