Sandton City owner monitoring terror threats ahead of the weekend

The JSE-listed owners of Sandton City, Liberty Two Degrees (L2D) says it is working with authorities to ensure the safety of all its shoppers, tenants, service providers and stakeholders, following alerts that the greater Sandton area may be vulnerable to a terrorist attack this weekend.

Sandton City – one of South Africa’s largest super-regional malls – is jointly owned by insurance giant Liberty Holdings, listed property counter L2D and private property group Pareto.

On Wednesday, the US Embassy in South Africa issued a notification that the richest square mile in Africa may be the target of a possible terrorist attack on Saturday 29 October and Sunday 30 October.

“The safety of all our shoppers, tenants, service providers and stakeholders is of paramount importance,” L2D said in a Sens statement.

“In partnership with the authorities, we are actively monitoring the situation and have appropriate security measures in place in and around Sandton City, which includes Nelson Mandela Square, offices, hotels and the Sandton Convention Centre.”

The group confirmed that despite these warnings, trading at its malls continues as normal.

The retail property sector was one of the sectors hardest-hit by the Covid-19-related lockdown regulations which reduced consumer footfall to super malls, like Sandton City.

However, the sector has started etching a post-pandemic recovery over the last year. In March, Sandton City – an attraction for tourists visiting the country – revealed that it had begun trading above pre-pandemic levels.

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Government’s response

The South African government, through the office of the Presidency – which in 2021 took over the political oversight role for the State Security Agency formerly played by the minister of intelligence – made similar assurances to Gauteng residents.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Presidency noted that it takes seriously the responsibility of South African security forces to protect all people within the country’s borders.

The state further added that its law enforcement agencies are monitoring the threats.

“Law enforcement agencies continue to monitor for any threats to our citizens, our nation and our sovereignty,” the Presidency said.

“Threats are assessed continuously and are acted upon to ensure the safety of all. Should the need arise; the South African government will be the first to inform the public about any imminent threat.”