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Take terrorism threats seriously, expert warns South Africa

July 21, 2016 4:46 pm by: Category: Africa & World, Featured, Local, National Leave a comment A+ / A-
muslim militants

muslim militants

Simba Rushwaya
JOHANNESBURG – THE Institute for Security Studies (ISIS) counter-terrorism guru, Martin Ewi has strongly advised the security apparatus to be on the look-out for more terror threats following the arrest of four suspects in Gauteng who were allegedly plotting to execute terrorist related activities in the province.

“It is true for the past 16 years or so, the country has had no attack from terrorists but there have been activities pointing to vulnerability thereof. I think this arrest confirms the need to do an assessment of terrorist activities in the country. South Africa is increasingly being exposed to the global threat of terrorism,” says Ewi.

This follows a crack joint operation by the National Intervention Unit, the Hawks, the Bomb Squad and other law enforcement agencies, that resulted in two suspects from Newclare, 23 year-old twin brothers Brandon Lee and Tony-Lee Thulsie and two other unnamed man and woman from Azaadville being arrested recently, facing three charges related to terrorism and are accused of planning to bomb the United States embassy and “Jewish institutions.”

The group has since appeared in the Johannesburg and Kagiso Magistrates’ Courts facing terrorism charges and are still remanded in custody.

Last month, Britain and the US warned of a high threat of terrorist attacks against foreigners at shopping malls across the country, but South African security officials claimed there were no known militant groups operating in the country at the time. In September last year, similar warnings were issued by the US Embassy.

In 2014, Iraq’s ambassador to South Africa, Dr Hushaim al-Alawi, reportedly said South Africans were funding the Islamic State (IS) group through false charities and “humanitarian organisations.”

The same embassy last year warned that at least 100 South Africans had been recruited into IS.

“The arrests to some extent confirm the alert earlier issued by the US because the suspects wanted to attack the US and Jewish communities. Many people criticised the Americans when they gave the warning, but the arrests have left a question mark. The country needs to comb many areas to see who is doing what and where. There is need to profile the behaviour of citizens regardless of their gender, race and nationality,” adds Ewi.

The Thelsie twins are facing three counts of contravening the Protection of Constitutional Democracy against Terrorist and Related Activities Act.

According to the provisional charge sheet, between October last year and this month, the twins planned to “cause explosions at a US mission and Jewish institutions” in South Africa.

“Such conspiracy and incitement was intended to cause or spread feelings of terror, fear or panic in the civilian population of South Africa – and in particular the US and Jewish sector thereof,” it says.

It is said that, in April last year, the twins tried to travel to Syria and join Islamic State. However, their attempt was thwarted after the Hawks informed the airline of their intentions.

After this, in July last year, the twins “unlawfully and intentionally conspired and attempted to perform acts” which would enhance the ability of Islamic State, making themselves available to the organisation to engage in terrorist activity.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokeswoman Phindi Louw says the twins had been under surveillance for about a year before the Hawks swooped in on them.

Acts of terrorism still continue to haunt countries world over with at least 84 people were killed and over 100 injured when a truck plowed into crowds at a Bastille Day celebration in Nice, France on Thursday last week.
Guardian

Take terrorism threats seriously, expert warns South Africa Reviewed by on . [caption id="attachment_3155" align="alignleft" width="300"] muslim militants[/caption]Simba Rushwaya JOHANNESBURG – THE Institute for Security Studies (ISIS) c [caption id="attachment_3155" align="alignleft" width="300"] muslim militants[/caption]Simba Rushwaya JOHANNESBURG – THE Institute for Security Studies (ISIS) c Rating: 0

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