Ramaphosa says the US government should have discussed their concerns with local authorities before issuing an alert.

The embassy issued the warning on Wednesday where it urged its citizens to avoid large gatherings and crowds during the weekend of 29-30 October.

Speaking at the Union Buildings during a state visit by Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Thursday, Ramaphosa said it was unfortunate that the embassy did not communicate with the government before issuing the alert.

"It was quite unfortunate that the US government issued that type of a warning without having had deep dive type of discussions with us. But following that, we were able to engage them and to understand precisely where this warning or information has come from. 

"We are in the course of doing precisely that because warnings such as those do send a lot of panic amongst our people and South Africans should be best informed by the South African government.

"Our agencies as they are getting better at the job of securing our people are alert and are looking very closely at this type of threat and they continue to do so." 

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"So, any form of alert will come from the government of the Republic of South Africa, but it is unfortunate that another government should send such a threat just to send panic amongst our people," said Ramaphosa.

The British government has also moved to warn its citizens about the potential attack.

So far, the US embassy said there is no further information regarding the timing, method, or target of the potential attack.

Several large gatherings are taking place in Gauteng this weekend including the LGBTQIA+'s 33rd Pride Parade.

Meanwhile, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has said the province is ready to protect its residents.

"We have already put our team on alert, but this is a national mandate, so we are waiting for national to guide us and put up the necessary systems. But we are ready as a province to protect our people, but we are more ready to ensure that this particular matter is not realised by those who want to harm our people."