afrol News, 24 September - The South African government has assured the public that all embassies in the country are safe despite the United States authorities decision to close their embassy, consulates and other offices in the country.

The US embassy in Pretoria and offices around the country remained closed since Tuesday after the regional US security office allegedly received a security threat.

The government BuaNews Agency yesterday reported spokesperson Themba Maseko saying it was not a good situation for the country, as it created the impression that South Africa was not a safe place.

"We want to reiterate that all our embassies are safe. South Africans have no reason to worry; there is no threat that government is aware of to South Africans or any country working in this particular country," said Maseko also adding that the government was working with the US authorities to establish the nature of the threat.

"We are not sure if there is a real threat, US authorities think that there is. All we can say is that there is contact at the highest level between the US and the South African governments. It will be premature to say anything further," he said.

The US embassy and other offices are expected to reopen on Friday, while some services are only being offered on appointment only.

On Tuesday, the US closed all its facilities in South Africa, including consulates in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, but did not give the nature of the security threat.

This has been the first time that US operations in South Africa have been halt by security threats.

On August 1998, over 200 people were killed at two separate embassy bombings, in Kenya and in Tanzania, all claimed to be the al Qaeda terror work in Africa.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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