A “dubious” warning of a potential terror attack being launched in South Africa over Ramadan has angered the South African government‚ which has sent a diplomatic protest to foreign embassies over the affair.

The US embassy announced at the weekend that it had received information that terrorist groups were planning to carry out attacks at South African malls in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

“This information comes against the backdrop of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’s public call for its adherents to carry out terrorist attacks globally during the upcoming month of Ramadan‚” it said.

Britain and Australia followed suit‚ updating their travel advisories for citizens travelling to SA.

History of terror attack threats in South Africa

On Tuesday News24 reported that the source of the information the US acted on was an East African businessman living in South Africa.

“A source with access to South African intelligence said‚ however‚ that the businessman was believed by South Africa to be a ‘discredited’ informer who was only after the money he’d be paid for the information‚” it said.

On Wednesday‚ the SA Department of International Relations and Cooperation’s Clayson Monyela issued a statement voicing the Pretoria government’s displeasure over the manner in which the alerts about South Africa were handled.

“The information provided as a basis for the latest terror alerts on South Africa has been found to be very sketchy. On closer examination‚ we have found the information to be dubious‚ unsubstantiated and provided by a ‘walk-in’ source based on questionable conclusions.

Misleading to say SA is not vulnerable to terror attacks: IRR

“It is within this context that the South African government rejects attempts by foreign countries to influence‚ manipulate or control our country’s counter terrorism work.

“We reject attempts to generate perceptions of government ineptitude‚ alarmist impressions and public hysteria on the basis of a questionable single source.”

Monyela said: “The South African government is fully capable of securing our country‚ protecting our people and taking care of the safety of foreign citizens on our soil. We expect foreign embassies on our soil to follow the correct channels when communicating matters of such nature.

“To this end‚ the South African government has demarched the affected embassies to register our displeasure with the manner in which the matter was handled.”

He added that the South African government takes the threat of violent extremism and terrorism very seriously‚ noting it is a global phenomenon that no nation can claim immunity from.

“As part of their work‚ our security agencies are in constant liaison with foreign intelligence services represented in South Africa. Their work includes information exchanges on threats presented by violent extremism and terrorism‚” he said.

“South Africa as a sovereign peace loving country has always adopted a professional manner in engaging with other countries on these issues. We are‚ therefore displeased with the manner in which some countries have reciprocated. Their actions have been disingenuous and a cause for serious concern to our government.”

The SA government‚ however‚ also noted that: “South Africa values the political‚ economic and social ties with these countries and will approach any discussion within the spirit of cooperation and international solidarity”.

“Government wishes to reiterate that the security of all people in South Africa remains its top priority. The security services will continue to remain vigilant at all times. Should the need arise‚ the South African government will be the first to inform the public about any imminent threat.”