The British government has warned its citizens that there is a terror threat from extremists linked to the Islamic State (ISIS) group in South Africa. And the impact could be dire for Dundee’s fledgling tourist industry and the accommodation establishments that have blossomed as a yet of the mainly battlefield related tourism.

This after a couple were apparently kidnapped near Vryheid in a case allegedly linked to terrorism.

The UK government’s website, under foreign travel advice relating to SA, updated its “terrorism section” on Monday. This update was still deemed relevant on Wednesday.

It is not yet clear if the couple, yet to be identified, were bona fide tourists or SA citizens carrying British passports. However, Talana Museum curator, Pam McFadden said ‘ even though the status of the  kidnap victims is still unknown,  warnings like this do impact on  tourism and plans of people.’  Her thoughts were echoed by tour guide, Johann Hamman, who said he feared UK tourists will simply change travel plans.

According to the official UK website: “Updated information on the terrorist threat from extremists linked to Daesh… there’s an increasing threat of kidnap throughout South Africa; kidnaps can be for financial gain or motivated by criminality; British nationals can be perceived as being wealthier than locals and may be at particular risk of kidnap for financial gain.”

Daesh is another name for ISIS.

On Tuesday, the Hawks announced that its Crimes Against the State Unit – along with other authorities, including the Durban police’s Crime Intelligence division – had identified two suspects in the kidnapping case on February 16.

They two – Sayfydeen Aslam Del Vecchio, 38, and Fatima Patel, 27 – were then arrested in connection with the case.  The couple were said to have been staying in a rural area near Mtunzini on the North Coast.

Charges against them include kidnapping, or robbery, as well as the possible contravention of the Protection Constitutional Democracy against Terrorists and Other Related Activities Act.

More arrests were expected.

Patel was previously arrested in another terrorism-related case.

Another section on the UK government’s website, under the heading “terrorism”, said: “Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in South Africa. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners such as shopping areas in major cities.”

‘The main threat is from extremists’

“The main threat is from extremists linked to Daesh (formerly referred to as ISIL). In February 2018, two South African-British nationals were kidnapped,” says the website.

The post said South African authorities had previously disrupted planned attacks.

On Tuesday, Hawks spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said a full scale investigation had been launched into the couple believed to have been kidnapped.

He said Del Vicchio and Patel had appeared in the Vryheid Magistrate’s Court on Monday and were expected to appear there again on March 1.

Aside from the kidnapping, or possible robbery charge, the duo also faced an arson charge for allegedly torching and destroying hectares of sugar cane fields in 2017.

Ramovha said R2m worth of damage was caused.