The United States has issued a terror alert to residents in Johannesburg, South Africa, raising alarm about possible terror attacks targeting large gatherings at an unspecified location in Sandton.

“The US government has received information that terrorists may be planning to conduct an attack targeting large gatherings of people at an unspecified location in the greater Sandton area,” the embassy said. “There is no further information regarding the timing, method, or target of the potential attack.”

The embassy advised all its staff to stay away from crowded areas and other large public gatherings in the region over the coming weekend. 

The Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele, says the government has not received any evidence, but law enforcement agencies are investigating the matter.

On October 5, the embassy updated its travel advisory to the country, saying South Africa was rife with “violent crime and civil unrest.” 

“Violent crime – such as armed robbery, rape, carjacking, mugging, and “smash-and-grab” attacks on vehicles – is common.  There is a higher risk of violent crime in the central business districts of major cities after dark,” the embassy said in a 5 October note. “Demonstrations, protests, and strikes occur frequently.  These can develop quickly without prior notification, often interrupting traffic, transportation, and other services; such events have the potential to turn violent.”

The latest security advisory comes after the U.S. and the United Kingdom issued security advisories for their nationals in Nigeria. On Wednesday, the U.S. authorised relocating its government employees and their families from Abuja over potential terrorist attacks.

The U.S. Embassy warned that government buildings, places of worship, schools, markets, shopping malls, bars, and hotels, could soon be attacked.