Yanking Uncle Sam's chain

09 June 2016 - 08:37 By PHILANI NOMBEMBE

The Presidency moved swiftly yesterday to head off a diplomatic row after the International Relations and Co-operation Department lashed out at the US for releasing a security warning based on "sketchy" information. On Saturday the US warned its citizens travelling to the country of possible terror attacks at shopping malls during Ramadan.But International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane criticised the US yesterday, accusing it of issuing a "sketchy, dubious and unsubstantiated" warning."Their actions have been disingenuous and a cause for serious concern to our government," said Nkoana-Mashabane.The US embassy in Pretoria reacted swiftly, sticking to its guns on "specific, credible and non-counterable threat information". I couldn't care less about America's candidates‚ International Relations MinisterInternational Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has expressed disinterest in the outcome of the US presidential race.Nkoana-Mashabane's department said: "This information provided as a basis for the latest terror alerts has been found to be very sketchy. On closer examination, we have found the information to be dubious, unsubstantiated and provided by a 'walk-in' source based on questionable conclusions."The Presidency said the security cluster met yesterday to "discuss the matter further, with a view to ensuring the continued safety of all in the country". It said Pretoria would continue discussions with Washington "as part of ongoing co-operation on security issues between the two countries"."South Africa and the US continue to enjoy strong and cordial relations in various areas of co-operation including political, economic, social and security matters," it said.The controversy began on Saturday when the US Embassy informed citizens that its government had received credible information that Islamic State intended to attack shopping malls frequented by US citizens in Johannesburg and Cape Town during the month of Ramadan.Embassy spokesman Cynthia Harvey said yesterday the warning remained in place: "We cannot comment on the internal communications process within the South African government and we will continue to work with our counterparts going forward."A senior researcher at the Institute for Security Studies, Martin Ewi , said the US was obliged to release warnings about information it received. "Congress adopted legislation in which it requested the government to share all information concerning the safety and lives of its citizens abroad."Last month, during his budget speech, State Security Minister David Mahlobo said a growing number of citizens were associating themselves with terrorist organisations."Domestically, efforts continue to identify citizens who want to join terrorist groups and to prevent an expansion in this regard. We are working with certain communities to curb radicalisation and recruitment of our young people on false ideology," he said...

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