Graeme Hosken and Chumani Bambani
THE threat of a terrorist attack in England during the London Olympic Games is very real.
The head of British intelligence, MI5, Jonathan Evans said on Monday that a new generation of British-born terrorists had been lured by al-Qaeda for possible attacks on Britain.
"A small number of British would-be jihadis [religious warriors] are making their way to Arab countries seeking training and opportunities for militant activity ... some will return to the UK,” he said.
South Africa will send more than 100 athletes to the Olympics while the Proteas will be on a tour of England from July 9. The tour ends in September.
Cricket SA acting chief executive Jacques Faul said: "We have not yet studied the reports [by MI5], but we will be doing so with our security experts.”
British embassy spokesman Gary Benham said the objective was to deliver a safe and secure Olympics.
But South Africa’s leading anti-terrorism expert, Annelie Botha, said an attack did not have to be at a stadium or fan park.
"The entire country will be a target,” she said.
International Relations spokesman Clayson Monyela said no warnings had been received from the UK so no travel security advisory had been issued.
