The South African government has extended its condolences to the government and people of France following the terrorist attack against journalists and members of the public in Paris on Wednesday.

It is reported that the terrorist attack against the headquarters of French satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, in Paris, claimed the lives of at least 12 individuals, including two policemen. At least 11 others have been injured, with four in a critical condition.

Charlie Hebdo, which is based in Paris' 11th arrondissement, was firebombed in 2011, due to the publishing of a controversial series of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad.

Shortly after Wednesday’s attack, French President Francois Hollande revealed that several terrorist attacks were stopped in recent weeks in France where the anti-terrorism alert plan has been raised to the highest level in the greater Paris area, which means a definite threat.

France, home to five-million Muslims, the largest community in Europe, has been the target of terror threats in reprisal to its operation against the Daech group in Iraq and Syria.

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) on Thursday said the South African government joins the international community in condemning the calculated and barbaric terrorist attack.

“Deliberate attacks against journalists and members of the public contravene international law and constitute a crime against humanity,” DIRCO said.

The department said the South African government has taken note of and supports the United Nations Security Council in its condemnation of this “barbaric and cowardly” act and reiterates its stance that terrorism in any form and from whichever quarter cannot be condoned.

“South Africa stands firmly with the international community by unequivocally condemning all terrorism and will continue to support regional and international efforts, to address the scourge of terrorism in all its forms,” the department said.