Safety and Security

Terrorism: Anti-U.S. violence is not common in South Africa, but the Department of State remains concerned about the continued worldwide threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. You are encouraged to review the most recent Worldwide Caution issued by the Department of State.

Xenophobic Attacks: South Africa has seen a number of attacks directed at refugees or immigrants from other African nations in recent years. Many of the attacks were centered in Johannesburg and the province of Gauteng in low-income neighborhoods and informal settlements, but other incidents have taken place throughout the country. Both targeted victims and bystanders have been killed. Incidents of mob violence have sprung up quickly and proven difficult for local authorities to control. You should listen to local media for reports of such incidents and avoid areas (primarily--but not limited to--townships) where they are likely to occur.

Public Disturbances and Strikes: Organized or wildcat labor strikes occur regularly in South Africa. Service delivery protests also occur frequently and are generally motivated by poor residents’ frustrations with shortfalls in public service deliveries. While both types of disturbances – labor strikes and service delivery protests – are generally localized and normally occur well away from typical tourist destinations, these disturbances can develop quickly, unpredictably, and occasionally turn violent. Strikes can also interrupt the provision of electricity, water, fuel, and other goods and services. During strikes by public workers, access to government offices, public hospitals and schools may be difficult due to protests and picket lines. Use caution and steer clear of any area where protests, demonstrations, or other public disturbances are taking place. South Africa has many private medical facilities/services that may not be impacted by public-sector strikes. Note: Security Messages issued regarding demonstrations and strikes will now be posted on the U.S. Mission to South Africa’s website.

 Public Transportation: Public transportation accidents involving trains, buses, minibus taxis and private cars are a regular occurrence in South Africa. In addition, minibus taxis and buses have been targeted by criminal elements for hijacking and robbery. Often, the safety and security standards on public transportation systems – especially in urban areas and townships - in South Africa are not on par with what travelers would expect in the United States. The use of individual metered taxis from established taxi companies and tour buses is recommended. The Gautrain, which travels between the airport and Johannesburg/Pretoria, is considered a very reliable and safe mode of transportation.

Game Park/Safari/Hiking Safety: While visiting game parks and reserves, it is dangerous to leave your vehicle or be on foot, even in the presence of a guide. You should observe all local or park regulations and exercise appropriate caution in unfamiliar surroundings. Visitors have been seriously injured and killed by wild animals in South Africa. Even in the most serene settings, animals are wild and can present a threat to life and safety.

Visitors hiking in mountainous areas, including Table Mountain near Cape Town, should be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions and ensure they have proper clothing and supplies.

Ocean Safety: If visiting South Africa’s expansive coastline, be mindful of the possible presence of sharks when swimming or engaging in water sports. From 1990 to 2011, a total of 136 shark attacks, 22 of them fatal, occurred in South Africa. In 2012 at the Fish Hoek and Jeffrey’s Bay beach and other areas of the Cape Town and Western Cape coastlines, and at Port St. John’s in both 2012 and 2013 in the Eastern Cape, several people were attacked by sharks, and some of the attacks were fatal. When lifeguards and shark spotters are on duty and sight a shark close to the shore, local authorities will sound a warning siren to alert swimmers.

Accidents can occur when swimming in the ocean or walking/climbing on shore areas that are not designated lifeguard-patrolled beaches. Visitors from the United States and elsewhere have drowned when swimming in coastal waters, where riptides, tides, and wave patterns can change unexpectedly and overwhelm even excellent swimmers. Do not swim alone in isolated beach areas. Do not dive into unknown bodies of water, as hidden rocks or shallow depths can cause serious injury or death.

To stay connected:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements.
• Follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and Facebook.
• Bookmark the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, which contains the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
• Follow the U.S. Embassy in South Africa on Twitter and visiting the Embassy’s website.
• In the event of an emergency, contact us at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada, or via a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries.
• Take some time before traveling to consider your personal security and checking our Traveler’s Checklist for useful tips for traveling safely abroad.

CRIME: The majority of visitors to South Africa complete their travel without incident, but South Africa has a very high level of crime and crime is the primary security threat for travelers. Violent crimes, such as armed robbery, rape, carjacking, mugging, and "smash-and-grab" attacks on vehicles, are frequent and affect both visitors and residents alike.

Note: Visitors to the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria and U.S. Consulates General in Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg should be aware of the risk of muggings, several of which have occurred near U.S. diplomatic facilities. While measures have been taken to address concerns about potential muggings, visitors approaching U.S. government facilities should be aware of their personal security and carry as little money and valuables as possible.

Visitors and residents are advised that ongoing criminal activity involving organized crime such as assault, armed robbery, and theft, can be particularly high in areas around hotels and public transportation centers, especially in major cities. Theft of passports and other valuables is most likely to occur at airports, bus terminals, and train stations.

Criminal gangs target individuals and commercial businesses at shopping centers and other public places. Criminals sometimes follow targeted victims back to their residences or hotels where they are robbed. Such robberies often involve weapons and violence can quickly escalate, especially if you resist. If you are confronted by an armed assailant, give up your valuables.

Cash-in-transit (armored vehicle) robberies are common. You should avoid traveling near these vehicles and personnel during a cash delivery or pick-up, particularly at shopping centers or other public locations.

South Africa has one of the highest rates of rape and sexual assault in the world, with more than 66,000 reported sexual offenses in 2012-2013, a rate of 127 sexual offenses per 100,000 population. While most rape victims are local residents, foreign visitors are also victims of rape. All victims of violent crime, especially rape, are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical attention, including antiretroviral therapy against HIV/AIDS. Questions about how to receive such treatment should be directed to the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy.

Several U.S. citizens and other travelers have been robbed at gun point while traveling in motor vehicles from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to their place of lodging. In some instances, the robberies took place after the vehicle arrived at a hotel, guest house, or private home. In other instances, the vehicle with the passengers was boxed in and stopped by two vehicles on the street. Travelers should select shuttle or taxi services with care, use reputable companies recommended by major hotels or shuttles provided by hotels, and use only licensed taxis parked at marked taxi locations at the airport. Travelers should avoid changing money at the airport, and avoid displaying expensive or flashy jewelry, watches, or luggage while traveling.

There have been reported incidents of fake South African Police Services (SAPS) or other South African law enforcement vehicles masquerading as official vehicles involved in hijackings or robberies. When in doubt and as a precaution against being stopped by “bogus” police, motorists are advised to put on their hazard lights and to drive slowly to the nearest South African police station or to a well-lit or well-populated area such as an open gas station, supermarket, or hospital to establish if they are being stopped by genuine police.

In the Western Cape, police resources have been strained by continuing gang conflicts and vigilante violence in the low-income areas and informal settlements around Cape Town. People who are unfamiliar with the Cape Flats/Khayelitsha area, surrounding townships, and squatter camps should not visit these areas. Additionally, travelers should be aware that muggings and attacks have occurred along popular hiking routes on Table Mountain and around Lion’s Head and Hout Bay. Visitors to these sites should be vigilant, hike in groups, and not carry/display valuables.

Crime in Durban remains high. Visitors should avoid traveling in the city center after dark, as well as all travel to the surrounding townships. The suburbs north and west of the city are generally considered to be safer than the city center, but all visitors should remain vigilant and exercise situational awareness at all times.

Car Thefts and Carjacking: Carjacking and thefts from cars are serious problems. Keep your car doors locked and the windows rolled up at all times. Hide bags, cell phones, and other valuables from view at all times and be extremely cautious when approaching intersections. “Smash-and-grab” robberies are common throughout South Africa, particularly in urban areas, at traffic lights, stop signs, and highway off-ramps. A criminal, sometimes posing as a vendor or beggar, will walk between lines of vehicles waiting at an intersection, surveying the contents for valuables. Once an item of value is identified, the perpetrator will quickly smash the window, grab the item from the car, and flee. In another scenario, an individual (or two working in tandem) may indicate to a driver an apparent flat tire or other problem and wait for the driver to pull over or exit the car before grabbing exposed valuables.

If you see a car pulled over to the side of the road do not stop to offer assistance, but rather call the police to report the vehicle’s location so that authorities can render assistance. Park your car in well-lit areas, preferably in a parking lot with security guards. Physically check that your vehicle is locked before you walk away. Criminals have perfected the technique of blocking the signal from wireless remote locking devices.

Criminals, working in groups, have placed debris on the road (rocks, bricks, shards of metal, etc.) in an effort to puncture a vehicle’s tires. Another less-frequently used tactic is for criminals to throw rocks, bricks, paint, or eggs from freeway overpasses onto moving vehicles to damage cars and disorient drivers. The drivers are robbed by accomplices after pulling over to inspect the car for damage.

ATMs and Credit Cards: Criminals often loiter near ATMs, targeting persons withdrawing cash. A common scheme is the “Good Samaritan” fraud, where a criminal attempts to “help” with an ATM transaction. Often the ATM in these situations has been tampered with to record the card information, and the “Good Samaritan” will then take the information and use it to withdraw cash later. Avoid using ATMs in dark, remote, or isolated areas. Use ATMs located inside shopping malls, hotels, and banks since they are normally high-traffic areas and are monitored by security guards and cameras. Do not accept “assistance” or agree to assist others with ATM transactions.

Criminals have also used commercial explosives to blow up ATMs in South Africa. ATM bombings have taken place in the early morning hours in remote or isolated areas, although some attacks have taken place at gas stations and shopping complexes.

Incidents of credit card fraud, counterfeit U.S. currency, and various check-cashing scams have also been reported. When giving your credit card to a store or restaurant employee for processing, do not let the card out of your sight. Most South African restaurants and gas stations have portable credit card machines that can be brought to your table or car. 

Hotel Security: Thefts from hotel rooms are common. You should use hotel-provided room safes or lock-boxes at the front desk to store your valuables.

Financial and Romance Scams: Visitors should also beware of telephone, Internet, and e-mail fraud schemes, which attempt to win the confidence of unsuspecting persons who are persuaded to enter into a romantic relationship via email, or to provide financial assistance, or to travel to South Africa and assist in a supposedly lucrative business venture. Since 2008, there have been several cases of U.S. citizens losing thousands of dollars and putting themselves in danger by responding to either romantic or financial scams (also known as “419 scams”). “Lonely hearts” scams are a common and growing problem, with “engagements” via the Internet used to lure victims into sending money to assist with supposed education, legal, health, or job problems. If you are contacted by someone who you have met only online claiming to be a U.S. citizen asking for financial assistance, instruct the person to contact the nearest U.S. consulate or embassy. You should exercise extreme caution when sending funds to individuals overseas for any reason whether your relationship with them is of a business or personal nature. Some scam victims have traveled to South Africa only to lose more money, and in a few cases, to be physically attacked or kidnapped for ransom. Click to view the State Department’s financial scam web page. If you have lost money in a financial scam, please file a report with your local police and with the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Victims can also report Internet fraud to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online or by phone, toll-free, at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357).

To check on a business’s legitimacy while in the United States, contact the International Trade Administration, Room 3317, Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, telephone: 1-800-USA-TRADE or 202-482-5149, fax: 202-482-5198. If you are abroad, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Airport Safety: Travelers leaving O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) have been targeted by criminals for robbery while en route to their hotels or places of residence. As such, all travelers should be extremely vigilant when leaving the airport and ensure that a reliable mode of transportation is used (such as arranging pick-up directly with a hotel, or using airport-approved modes of transport, such as Gautrain or official metered taxis from the taxi rank).

Concerted efforts have been made to reduce luggage theft and pilferage at O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg), with noticeable results. However, travelers are encouraged to lock their suitcases when possible and avoid placing valuables in checked baggage. A good practice, regardless of destination, is to make an inventory of items and contact your air carrier immediately if you experience a loss.

Criminals are known to also target travelers at ATMs in airports. Travelers should refer to the above section, “ATM Scams,” for security precautions at ATMs.

Firearms: Travelers to South Africa may not import or take in-transit any firearms or ammunition without a temporary import or in-transit permit issued by the South African Police Service. Information on how to obtain a permit for firearms for personal protection and hunting can be found at the South African Police Service’s Firearms website.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  We can:

• Replace a stolen passport.
• Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
• Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, contact family members or friends.
• Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.  

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in South Africa is 10111.

Please see our information for victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.