Speaking to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, Opperman said with the presence of Islamic State in neighbouring Mozambique, the SADC region has become “far more vulnerable” to terrorism.

“First and foremost, there is need for an understanding of the Southern Africa region that is far more vulnerable to terrorism.

The Islamic State finally has a footprint in Mozambique.

The Islamic State finally has a footprint in Mozambique.

“Then in South Africa itself, we are sitting with an intelligence service, we are sitting with a law and order capacity that simply lacks the credibility from the people of South Africa,

And how then would South Africa respond to this matter. It would then build levels of mistrust.

And how then would South Africa respond to this matter. It would then build levels of mistrust.

“To say that they have not received any information in this regard, point taken, but that does not mean there is no threat.

“To say that they have not received any information in this regard, point taken, but that does not mean there is no threat.

When an alert is put on the table according to US protocols, we have seen this in the past – about 10 years back, creating hysteria.”

She said it would have been better if there was “a more informative, and substantive response” from the intelligence services in South Africa.