OPINION by Ibrahim Vawda – “A year-long investigation by the Daily Maverick’s DE WET POTGIETER has revealed surprising inaction by police despite incriminating evidence about secret military training camps and sophisticated sniper training at three well-documented locations as well as several others across South Africa. These subversive activities have taken place at a farm near the notorious Apartheid police hit squad camp at Vlakplaas outside Pretoria, as well as a secluded farm in the mountains of the Klein Karoo”. – Daily Maverick May 2013

“Hussein Solomon, head of the International Institute of Islamic Studies in Pretoria, said militants had already established cells in South Africa”.

“He was commenting today on reports that Somali terrorists linked to al-Qaeda have been planning to attack US interests here”. – Cape Argus : 12 October 2009

These are some of the hair raising and fear mongering statements made by the two self-styled ‘terror experts’ on terror activities in South Africa. The Media Review Network (MRN) has on numerous occasions challenged these so-called “experts” to provide the necessary evidence with regard to these wild allegations. Unfortunately to no avail.

The latest ‘terror alert’ issued by the US Embassy in Pretoria has not provided any information to enable verification. The terminology used is very vague and only serves to heighten the fear psychosis.

The tone of the warning issued with no reliable evidence provided, only serves to sow panic and paranoia within the general public. Our Ministry of Safety and Security has disputed the claims made in the warning. In fact the US Intelligence report is designed to unfairly fuel Islamophobia. These alerts must be open to public interrogation. If not, it could easily result in an Afghanistan/ Iraq style invasion with the resultant formation of Western sponsored structures such as Al Qaeda and ISIS.

The notice distributed by the Embassy refers to “extremists”. No time frames are provided. Who are these extremists? Week-end newspaper reports spoke of South Africans holding dual passports and using this privilege to join foreign defence forces. Reference was made to Jewish youngsters joining the Israeli Defence Force. These young militias do pose a significant danger to the security of our country. They could easily carry out acts of terror in South Africa. This type of US terror alerts create the ideal climate for extremists to carry out their heinous criminal acts.

The MRN remains deeply sceptical when such alerts/warnings are issued. We urge the US Embassy to show confidence in our Country’s security apparatus and to share all intelligence information at their disposal. If not, it shows complete disrespect for the sovereignty of our country. Media Review Network