Terror cells ‘are operating in SA’

SOUTH Africa has identified a number of “sleeper cells” set up by militant groups that aim to use the country as a logistical base, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba,

has announced, without giving details.

“The South African government is aware that there are people who are using South Africa as a logistic hub, as a hideout, and there are sleeper cells,” Gigaba told a news conference.

He said the government knew who these people were, and had the situation under control.

Asked what action was being taken, he said: “We don’t talk about those things. Our security forces are acting in a manner which we think is best for us.”

In July police said they had arrested four people, including twins, who were accused of planning attacks on the US embassy Pretoria, as well as on build- ings owned by Jewish people.

The brothers also stand accused of attempting to travel to Syria to join Islamic State. The arrests came a month after the UK and the US warned of a high-level threat of attacks against foreigners in shopping malls in South Africa.

Security officials said then there were no known militant groups operating in South Africa.

In May, State Security Minister David Mahlobo told Parliament a growing number of South Africans were “associating themselves with terrorist organisations”.

“Domestically, efforts continue to be undertaken to identify South African citizens who want to join terrorist groups and to prevent an expansion in this regard,” said Mahlobo said. Gigaba affirmed that Pretoria would continue trying to ensure SA did not become a target.

“We don’t want to be mobilised