By Gomolemo Mothomogolo
Deputy Minister of State Security, Zizi Kodwa says the terrorists threat notice issued by the US embassy “created unnecessary anxiety and panic” in country. Earlier this week, the US government issued a notice of a possible terrorists attack that it said would be unleashed at “ large gatherings” in greater Sandton area this weekend. But the US embassy couldn’t confirm nor provide information on the exact target of the alleged terrorist attack. “There is no information regarding the timing, method or target of the potential attack. The US embassy has advised staff to avoid crowds of people and other large gatherings in the Sandton area of Johannesburg during the weekend of 29-30 October 2020,” said the US embassy in a statement.
But Deputy Minister of State Security Agency, Zizi Kodwa criticised the US government on how the notice was communicated. “We continue to engage our partners in relationships to the alert. We think it has created unnecessary anxiety and panic,” said Kodwa who conducted a walkabout at the Pride march in Sandton on Saturday. The Johannesburg Pride march is one of the biggest events for the LGBTQI community as they celebrate activists and advocate for an equal society based on gender and it is a colourful parade attracting thousands of people annually. Kodwa assured South Africans that law enforcement authorities were monitoring the area. “I think people should come to Sandton. We have seen people coming in their numbers. The law enforcement agencies take any alert very seriously. I think South Africans must remain vigilant. Obviously we are always on high alert as national security structures not only for this alert but (on) continuous basis we do what is called a threat assessment to the country, to the security of the country and to the well being of her people,” said Kodwa adding that many countries including South Africa are vulnerable to terrorism threats.
“We take every event very seriously because terrorism is a global phenomenon [and] no country is spared. So whatever threat we get and whatever threat assessment we make we take it seriously,” he added. Calling on LGBTQI to attend the event, the Johannesburg Pride said in a statement it was critical for the community to occupy “the space we intend to occupy on October 29, 2022 that we take to the streets and we assert our visibility. “We must establish our presence and demonstrate our strengths as a united community. Coming together as an LGBTQI community in Africa and Johannesburg,” it said in a statement. Law enforcement authorities said they are monitoring all events taking place this weekend.
