South Africa
Crime and violence are serious issues in South Africa.
Crime rates in South Africa are significantly higher than in Australia.
Be alert.
Police in South Africa deal with a high volume of aggravated crime. Their resources are stretched. You may not get the level of service you would in Australia, especially for less serious crimes such as theft and fraud.
The South African Police Service doesn’t have a ‘Tourist Police’ force. Criminals have posed as ‘Tourist Police’ to extort and rob tourists. This includes stopping tourist buses to check proof of identity and search luggage.
Crime at airports
Crime in and around airports can occur.
Criminals have robbed arriving passengers, following them from the airport to:
- ATMs
- foreign currency exchange facilities
- tourist accommodation
Theft from luggage also occurs. To avoid this, don’t place valuables in checked-in luggage.
Other crimes
Crime in South Africa includes:
- murder
- rape
- assault
- food and drink spiking
- mugging, robbery and theft, sometimes with weapons and violence
- carjacking
Robberies involving violence can occur at shopping centres .Be alert at all times.
Assaults and robberies on local commuter and metro trains happen:
- between Johannesburg and Pretoria
- in Cape Town
Theft from hotel rooms and guest homes does happen, including within game parks.
Criminals have stolen bags and backpacks from public places including restaurants and bars. Be alert in all public places.
To avoid theft:
- don’t leave luggage and valuables unattended
- place your luggage and valuables in safekeeping facilities
Crime rates are significantly higher after dark.
To protect yourself against crime, avoid travelling to:
- central business districts, particularly after dark
- townships, unless with an organised tour run by a reputable company
- isolated beaches, lookouts and picnic areas
Crime involving vehicles
Thieves posing as vendors or beggars target cars:
- on highways off ramps
- at intersections
- at traffic lights
‘Smash and grab’ thefts from vehicles are common, particularly:
- on major routes
- at major intersections
- during traffice congestion
- after dark
Criminals also place debris on roads to stop vehicles. Don’t stop to clear debris.
To prevent theft when travelling by car:
- keep doors locked and windows up, even when driving
- keep valuables out of sight
Attacks against hikers
Criminals have attacked hikers in South Africa.
To prevent attacks when hiking:
- hike in groups
- be alert to your surroundings and circumstances
Crime involving cash and credit cards
ATMs in major cities are common. ATMs in rural areas are more rare.
ATM and credit card fraud is common. Criminals use skimming devices to copy your card details onto a blank card.
Criminals wait near ATMs and rob people withdrawing cash.
To protect yourself against cash and credit card crime:
- only withdraw small amounts of cash at ATMs
- refuse offers of help at ATMs
- keep all ATM and credit card payment slips secure
- keep your credit card in sight at all times when using it
Don’t use ATMs that open onto the street. Only use ATMs in controlled areas, such as:
- banks
- shops
- shopping centres
Scams
Scams are common.
Don’t be fooled by scams. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
If you’re a victim of scam, don’t travel to South Africa to try and get your money back. The risk of assault is too high.
Fake internet friendship, dating and marriage schemes operate from some African countries. These typically take place on internet dating sites or chat rooms.
Someone you meet online may ask you to send money so they can travel to Australia to visit you. As soon as the scammer receives the money, they end their relationship with you.
Some may ask you to travel to Africa to meet them. When you arrive in Africa they may kidnap, assault or rob you.
Report fraud and scams to the Commercial Crimes Unit of the South African Police Service in Johannesburg on +27 (11) 970 5300.
More information:
Read the original advice at SmartTraveller.gov.au by Australian Government