Following the alert, the US Embassy has since advised its staff to avoid crowds of people and other large public gatherings in that part of the metropolitan area during the weekend of 29 and 30 October, 2022.

The United States government, through its embassy in South Africa, has warned of a possible terrorist attack on “large gatherings” in the northern part of the country’s Johannesburg this Saturday.

In an alert published on Wednesday on the U.S. Embassy and Consulates’ website, the US government revealed that it has information that a terrorist attack may be carried out in an unspecified location in Sandton, a wealthy suburb located in northern part of Johannesburg, and will be targeting large gatherings of people.

The alert, which has been widely shared on social media platforms, stated that “The US government has received information that terrorists may be planning to conduct an attack targeting large gatherings at an unspecified location in the greater Sandton area of Johannesburg, South Africa, on 29 October 2022.”

The alert also added that “There is no further information regarding the timing, method, or target of the potential attack.”

Following the alert, the US Embassy has since advised its staff to avoid crowds of people and other large public gatherings in that part of the metropolitan area during the weekend of 29 and 30 October, 2022.

South Africa’s presidency, in response to the US’ “terror alert”, pointed out that the alert was part of “the US government’s standard communication to its citizens.”

The South African government, through Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele, stated on Wednesday that it has not received any evidence of a potential threat, adding that it is liaising with the US authorities and investigating the report.

The presidency also stated that South Africa’s law enforcement agencies are monitoring any threat to the citizens and the nation, further adding that it is the responsibility of its security forces to ensure the security and safety of all people in the country.

In a statement, the presidency said: “Should the need arise, the South African government will be the first to inform the public about any imminent threat.”

The US “terror alert” comes as several western embassies, including the US Embassy, on Monday, advised their citizens to limit their travel to Nigeria because of the increased threat of terrorist attacks.