Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
25 April 2024 | 16:37 SAST
2-minute read

Image: Department of South Africa

A United Kingdom travel warning citing possible terror threats in South Africa has been met with indignation, with the government demanding credible evidence from the UK to substantiate their claims.

The UK travel advisory, which has reportedly been in place since 2022, resurfaced in January, prompting South African officials to seek clarification.

Dr Ahmed Jazbhay, an executive member of the Media Review Network, told Radio Islam that there is a lack of evidence to support the alleged threats, explaining that the warning is merely an update of an existing threat that was initially issued in 2022 following supposed terror threats in Sandton.

“No evidence has been provided of any sort of threat. It’s merely an update of an existing threat, as you pointed out, that has been placed since 2022, since the so-called terror threat against American interest in Sandton. This is not new, and it’s an update or a reaffirmation of an existing threat,” Dr Jazbhay explains.

Some of these terror warnings have been issued without consultation with South African security agencies (SSA), Dr Jazbhay says, which raises concerns about the implications for South Africa’s sovereignty and foreign policy.

“One has to look at the reasons behind the reasons, or the real story as to why these threats are being issued now, and really interrogate that, because there’s a larger game being played here in the country in relation to the ICJ case and so on against the South African government,” Dr Jazbhay observes.

Terror threat warnings are typically issued in conjunction with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and the SSA. Evidence is then evaluated and acted upon accordingly.

In response to the UK warning, South Africa has requested credible information to substantiate the claims.

“There is no evidence. So obviously there is issues at play here that we really need to read between the lines and be concerned about the repercussions of these so-called terror threats,” Dr Jazbhay says.

The matter will likely be handled through diplomatic discussions behind closed doors.

Regarding the connection between recent foreign policy decisions by South Africa, such as its stance on the Palestinian issue and involvement in conflicts in Mozambique and the DRC, to the assessment of terrorism threats, Dr Jazbhay suggests that these decisions may influence how certain nations perceive security threats within South Africa.

Dr Jazbhay explains that the recent UK travel threat should be looked at in the context of other threats and highlights concerns about subtle threats aimed at influencing South Africa’s foreign policy, particularly regarding its stance towards Israel and its allies. He explains the economic and political pressure faced by South Africa with regards to these undercurrents.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Ibrahim Daya here.