Britain follows US in issuing terror alert for SA

This comes after the US issued a similar warning on Saturday after it said it had "received information that terrorist groups are planning to carry out near-term attacks against places where US citizens congregate in South Africa, such as upscale shopping areas and malls in Johannesburg and Cape Town".

On Monday, the UK government said in a statement: "There is a high threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners, such as shopping areas in Johannesburg and Cape Town."

There was considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attacks globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria, Britain’s foreign office said.

State Security Minister David Mahlobo earlier on Monday downplayed the US government’s terror alert, giving assurances that his department was doing all it could to keep South Africa safe against attacks.

News24