US warns of terror risk to SA malls over Ramadan

SECURITY has been tightened at the V&A Waterfront following an alert issued by the US embassy in Pretoria that terrorist groups were planning to carry out attacks at upmarket shopping malls in South Africa.

The warning came yesterday afternoon and was confirmed by embassy spokeswoman Cynthia Harvey.

She said the security message was directed at US citizens after her government had received information that terrorist groups were planning to carry out ‘‘near-term attacks” against places where Americans congregate in South Africa ‘‘such as upscale shopping areas and malls in Johannesburg and Cape Town”.

The advisory warned US citizens to be vigilant in public places. Americans were also warned to be prepared for additional security screenings.

“Protection of US citizens overseas is among our top priorities,” said Harvey.

‘‘When we receive specific, credible, noncounterable threat information, it is our policy for US embassies and consulates to share the information.”

She said the embassy was co-operating with local authorities.

The notice posted on the embassy’s website states: ‘‘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.”

The holy month of Ramadan starts in South Africa on Wednesday. The embassy issued a similar alert in South Africa in September last year.

Clayson Monyela, spokesman for the Department of International Relations, said the government had been informed of the threat and the State Security Agency was “on top of it”.

He said South Africans had nothing to fear. ‘‘We have confidence in the security structures of this country. We are safe,” he said.