South Africa has been put on terror alert after Samantha Lewthwaite, the alleged mastermind behind the Kenya terrorist attack, was seen doing surveillance of embassies in Pretoria recently.
Dubbed the "White Widow" by the British media, Lewthwaite has been on intelligence watch lists for the past two years.
Recent sightings of her were brought to the attention of the South African police intelligence by a security organisation linked to the local Jewish community.
According to the Sunday Independent, South Africa is on a level 4 – orange-coded – rating following this new development.
Only a red alert is more intensive – which could lead to the evacuation of foreign diplomatic staff.
Lewthwaite had been wanted in South Africa for identity fraud and in Kenya for being in possession of illegal explosives as well as for conspiracy to commit a crime.
Interpol has meanwhile issued a red notice for her arrest.
This binds all 190 member countries to assist in tracking her down and arresting her.
Lewthwaite was the wife of British suicide bomber Germaine Lindsay, who blew himself up along with 26 commuters in the 7 July 2007 London bombings.
- News24
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