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U.S. Embassy Shuts Down Facilities in South Africa

by Mary Richard | September 22, 2009 at 05:09 am

546 views | 70 Recommendations | 7 comments

UPDATE:

All US government facilities will remain closed on Wednesday for a second day. They will also be closed Thursday, September 24, 2009 for Heritage Day, a South African National holiday.

Sharon Hudson-Dean, the US Embassy spokesperson, remains tight lipped on the nature of the security concern.

Nonkululeko Mbatha, South African national police commissioner doesn't add much more.

"The matter is under control," Mbatha said. "Our agencies, particularly crime intelligence, are working closely with US Embassy personnel."

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The United States government has temporarily closed its facilities in South Africa on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 after a "possible threat" to its embassy there.

“We’re closing every U.S. government facility in South Africa. It includes our embassy, our three consulates as well as other offices.,” Sharon Hudson-Dean, press attache of the American Embassy in Pretoria, said in a telephone interview from the capital city of South Africa. “We did this based on information received by our regional security office. I cannot discuss the nature of the information.”

“We will be closed for the entire day today,” she said. “Our current assumption is that we will be open for regular working hours tomorrow. Updates will be posted on our Web site.”

In addition to its embassy in Pretoria, the U.S. has consulates in Sandton, an area in northern Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

South African intelligence agencies are probing the threat against the embassy, Bheki Cele, the country’s police commissioner, told reporters in Cape Town today. He didn’t give further details.

From the U.S. Embassy - Pretoria website:

Based on information recently received by the Regional Security Office, all US Government facilities in South Africa will be closed on Tuesday, September 22, 2009.

They expect to be reopened tomorrow, September 23, 2009.

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mudricky

at 05:57 on September 22nd, 2009

Wonder if we'll find out more about it.

Barry ORegan

at 06:18 on September 22nd, 2009

Good story Blue, I threw a line or two about it in my Op ed when south african officals stated all is well, while slandering Canada as Racist for allowing a south African to stay in canada.

A. Tran

at 06:30 on September 22nd, 2009

Thanks for the post, Blue Crush

Roberto Alvarez-Galloso

at 08:54 on September 22nd, 2009

Thank you for your post Blue Crush.

a211423

at 09:00 on September 22nd, 2009

Thank you Blue Crush for this story. This is a good example of how meaningful U.S. intelligence can protect Americans in diplomatic positions.

Rory Cripps

at 18:30 on September 22nd, 2009

Thanks Blue Crush. For the past week or so I've had the unsettling feeling that something big is in the works re terrorism. I hope that it's just my paranoia setting in . . . .

vincehof (not verified)

at 03:22 on September 23rd, 2009

Hey all, I think fears of this being a serious terrorist attack have been allayed. From what I can gather listening to our (I'm South African) local news networks the embassy's sudden closure was a preventative measure which might have more to do with a procedural response to an threat, rather than a serious attack. I would imagine that if the attack were real it would have emanated from the vocal muslim community, although they generally sort their gripes out with a resounding march - nothing like a big walk to calm the nerves. If I hear anymore on this matter, I'll attempt to remind myself to come back and give you some feedback, until then I think the embassy, the diplomats who are treated rather better than our citizens by our lack luster government are sipping tea right now. A cynic..I know.