DG slams 'unfounded' UK terror alert

The UK Government has warned that terrorists are very likely to carry out attacks in SA. It has warned British travellers that SA is not a desirable country to visit due to crime, load shedding, kidnappings, and the rise in attacks on tourists. International Relations DG Zane Dangor said he was puzzled by the ‘strange’ claims. Dangor said he was waiting for the foreign office to provide proof for these ‘unfounded’ allegations. In its latest travel alert, it warns that ‘the main threat is from individuals who may have been inspired by terrorist groups, including Daesh, and who may carry out “lone actor” attacks’. These attacks, they warn, could take place at high-profile events, shopping centres, tourist sites, or crowded places. ‘We asked them “where does this credible threat come from?” They still have not given us a proper explanation. There is no evidence why we would be a target for a terror attack, and we are saying if you have credible information, give it to us, which they have not done,’ Dangor told News24. He added that the UK had failed to follow diplomatic channels for communicating concerns. ‘The UK has never done this before. They update their advisory, but they do not include unverified data, so we are not sure how they have done that. Normally, in these cases, the intelligence services engage with one another, and none of that has happened,’ he added.

According to the UK's alert: ‘The current conflict in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories has led to heightened tensions around the world. Terrorist groups, such as Al-Qaeda and Daesh, have called on their supporters to carry out terrorist attacks in response to the conflict. The conflict could also motivate individuals to carry out attacks. Terrorist attacks could target Jewish or Muslim communities, or the interests of Israel and its allies. Attacks could also be indiscriminate and occur without warning.’ A British High Commission spokesperson told News24 that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office constantly reviews the threat to British nationals from international terrorism. News24 has established that a terrorist attack against SA was at the top of the country's intelligence agencies' list of concerns. A trusted source said although he could not say when, he believed an attack against SA was ‘imminent’. ‘We are indeed in trouble, and that is because of the lack of resources and skills from the State Security Agency's side who are primarily responsible for these matters,’ the source said. International relations expert Siphamandla Zondo believes that this is one of those measures that signalled Britain's displeasure over SA's decision on the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine conflicts. ‘What the UK seems to be doing, like the US, is to be responding to their own differences on foreign policies regarding the Ukraine and Israel, between them and SA,’ Zondo said.

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