ANC told to take action against ‘growing ISIS threat’ in South Africa

The SA government has been asked to ‘beef up its border security’ and take the threat from ISIS seriously, following a brutal week of Islamic terror attacks across the way in Mozambique. With reports claiming that some recruits within the extremist group are South African, there are now concerns that this issue could be more insidious than first feared.

ISIS, Mozambique, and South Africa

Heavily armed militants began the siege on Mozambique’s northern province of Cabo Delgado on Wednesday 24 March, forcing around 200 people to evacuate a hotel where they had taken refuge. Gas giants Total said on Saturday that it has postponed the restart of work at in the region, following the violent scenes that unfolded.

Dozens of deaths were reported in the conflict, spooking some political representatives in Mzansi. The FF Plus are fearful that ISIS ‘already has a foothold’ on our shores – and feel that international collaboration is needed with Mozambique.

Does South Africa have an ISIS problem?

• – A group of South Africans were targeted by insurgents in Palma earlier this week.
• – One SA national was killed in the violence, and repatriated to Mzansi yesterday.
• – A report from the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) claims ISIS ‘are now recruiting in South Africa’.
• – It’s also understood that a number of South Africans are implicated in the recent attacks in Mozambique.

Can South Africa’s border deal with ‘terrorist threats’?

Corné Mulder is the FF Plus’ spokesperson on International Affairs. He stated on Wednesday that the fight to repel ISIS ideology spreading across South Africa must begin at the borders, which are in ‘serious need’ of repair.

“There are many signs that the terror group ISIS already has a foothold in South Africa and it would be irresponsible of the ANC government not to take decisive action against this threat. Thus, the FF Plus is calling on Naledi Pandor, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, to engage with the Mozambique government to discuss the matter.”

“The ANC must seriously focus on, among other things, the country’s borders and how to avert the risk there as a frontline defence. Unfortunately, it is a well-known and alarming fact that South Africa’s borders are permeable and the country’s intelligence services have drastically deteriorated – as it was recently mostly employed for ANC infighting.”