Cape Town – Police minister Bheki Cele affirms South African police’s readiness as the country remains on high alert following a terrorist attack warning issued by the US Embassy.
The issued security alert warned of a terrorist attack planned at an unspecified location in the greater Sandton area of Johannesburg, on October 29, 2022.
Cele was speaking after meeting with more than 2 000 police officers deployed to Durban in preparation for the certification ceremony of Zulu King Misuzulu kaZwelitshini on Saturday.
He said though intelligence is adamant that there is no evidence supporting the US embassy warning, the police would have been fully ready.
“All of this, we are ready for it. Even if there were no threats, we would have prepared. When speaking to intelligence, they argued there was no information on the table,
“Even if the [US] alert was not there, preparations would have been on the level. We invite people to come and honour the invite from the Zulu king,” said Cele.
With thousands of people expected to attend the certificate ceremony of the Zulu King at Moses Mabhisa, Cele said the deployed forces have saturated the roads and highway, especially in the north and inland.
He added that interministerial task teams had planned for huge crowds and possible scenarios as he addressed concerns of a stampede.
“There is an overflow in the parks adjoining the stadium. We are very confident the numbers will be managed well. We made a call to police members to say while you look at the security of people, you also ought to look at the welfare of the people.”
Cele called on deployed teams to represent the police well and emphasised the dignity of the event, urging visitors to behave accordingly.
“Remember, the eyes of the world are on you. Be a good representative and do good,” said Cele.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
