CAPE TOWN
South African Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula on Tuesday downplayed terror threats against her country as "insignificant".
While the country is not immune to terrorist attacks, the security cluster remains vigilant, the minister said. She made the remarks amid press reports that South Africa had been placed on terror alert following Westgate Mall attack in Kenya last month, in which nearly 70 people were killed.
Samantha Lewthwaite, a British woman dubbed the "White Widow", was reportedly seen in South Africa earlier this year conducting surveillance on foreign embassies in Pretoria.
Lewthwaite, who was holding a false South African passport, was believed to be the mastermind behind the Kenya attack.
South Africa is also facing threats from M23 rebels in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where South Africa has deployed troops as part of the United Nations intervention force in that region.
NO TURNING BACK
Referring to such threats, Nqakula said South Africa will not be deterred from continuing to deploy military forces where necessary on the continent.
"As SA we have done well, we should continue to do what we believe is right, and continue to intervene, I believe the intervention in DRC is benefit not only to DRC and region but to SA as well," Nqakula said.
In a related development, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has called for tightening immigration laws and stronger security measures on identity documents (IDs) and passports.
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