This follows comments by Minister in the Presidency for State Security, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, who said on Tuesday that intelligence services had identified possible coup threats.

Ntshavheni assured the public that “the situation is under control,” with monitoring and mitigation measures in place.

Cilliers, however, criticised the remarks, calling them “irresponsible and unfortunate.” He said, “This is not good for SA, for investor confidence, for a government that is trying to rebuild confidence in the country and to attract foreign investment. I just think that she eventually, probably regretted her statement, it just seemed to be so out of kilter and so inappropriate. But it certainly was ill advised.”

He added, “I just can't think that there's any real chance or threat of something like that.”

--SABC/ChannelAfrica--