Safety in South Africa

Economically speaking, South Africa is one of the most stable countries in Africa, and there are no religious or ethnic conflicts. In general, South Africans are very friendly toward tourists. Nevertheless, poverty is high among large segments of the population, and crime is a problem, especially in the larger cities. But if you consistently follow a few rules of conduct, South Africa is no more dangerous than other tourist destinations around the world. More than 90% of crime occurs in less than 10% of the country.

Visits to townships

Never walk or drive into a township without a guide who knows the area. Visiting townships is an exciting and interesting experience, but only under the guidance of an expert. You’ll often see townships on both sides of the roads leading out of larger cities. During the day, you can drive along these roads without any problems, but after dark, you should avoid stopping here if possible.

In larger cities

Especially at night and in larger cities, drive with your car doors and windows locked. Most rental cars these days have an automatic locking feature that activates as soon as the engine starts. Stop signs and red traffic lights are there for traffic safety and should not be ignored for no reason out of fear of potential robberies. If a situation does seem suspicious to you, continue driving cautiously.

Intercity Trips

Under no circumstances should you attempt to drive through a protest march or a spontaneous roadblock; keep your distance and turn around. Of course, you should not pick up hitchhikers, nor should you hitchhike yourself. You should avoid driving on rural roads after dark if you are unfamiliar with the road conditions.

Parking

Park in designated parking spaces that are lit at night. Do not leave any valuables in plain sight inside the car; the rental car is insured, but your personal belongings are not. To someone walking barefoot and shivering through the streets at night, even a jacket, a pair of shoes, or even an umbrella on the back seat of a car can be quite valuable. Visible charging cables could also give the impression that there are corresponding rechargeable devices inside the glove compartment waiting to be stolen.

Out and about on foot

When you're out and about, carry as few valuables as possible, and keep them out of sight. Usually, a cell phone, a credit card, and some cash are enough. Passports, travel documents, large amounts of cash, and a spare credit card should be kept in the hotel safe (and really, in the safe—not on the nightstand).

From time to time, there are reports of muggings on secluded beaches, hiking trails, or tourist attractions. However, these are and remain isolated incidents. Just because a tourist was mugged at the Rhodes Memorial in Cape Town years ago doesn’t mean the Rhodes Memorial has become a no-go area for all time. Whenever possible, visit more secluded areas with a group of people.

Ask your lodging provider about safe walking routes to tourist attractions or restaurants. After dark, take a short, well-lit route back to your lodging. Whenever possible, walk where there are other people around.

Public Transportation

Unfortunately, public transportation is scarce in South Africa. If you’d rather not drive yourself, ask at your lodging, a restaurant, or the tourist information office for recommended taxi or transfer companies. Their drivers are officially registered and licensed, and the vehicles must undergo a technical inspection once a year. Of course, time hasn’t stood still in South Africa either. There are apps and websites where anyone can offer their private vehicle for hire. Everyone must assess the quality and safety of such transportation options for themselves.

Notes on Individual Cases

Unfortunately, there have been several reports in recent years of typical “rip-off schemes” targeting tourists in some parts of the country. Every day, thousands of travelers set off on vacation from South Africa’s three international airports. The chance that you, of all people, will fall into such a trap is extremely low. Nevertheless, we would like to outline some of these potential pitfalls here:

Fake Police Officers

Only stop your vehicle if you are absolutely certain that you are being asked to do so by real police officers. Yellow safety vests, blue shirts, or a flashing blue light on a private car could be a trap. If you are unsure, call the police emergency number or navigate directly to the nearest police station. Genuine police checkpoints are easily recognizable by the presence of multiple police vehicles and appropriate warning lights.

Alleged traffic fines and tolls

In South Africa, it is illegal to pay traffic fines in cash on the spot. For actual traffic violations, you will receive a ticket, which you must pay at an official police station. If you find yourself in such a situation, politely ask for a ticket. Tolls must also be paid only at the appropriate toll booths, never on the open road to individual people.

Alleged roadblocks

Never follow people who claim to know a better route, for example, because a road is supposedly closed or because you are allegedly in a restricted area. Ignore such requests and continue your journey immediately without getting out of the car. In particular, requests for cash—such as being told to withdraw money from a nearby ATM—are a trap. Genuine road closures are easy to spot, and detours are clearly marked. No real police officer or construction worker would ever ask you to follow them or, let alone, demand cash from you.

Alleged Pass Requirement

In some cities, tourists may be told they must pay a fee to obtain a kind of pass or permit in order to move about freely in the city. The justification given is that the president or another important figure is in town. This is, of course, utter nonsense; you are free to move about in public anywhere in South Africa. Ignore such requests, and if in doubt, state that you intend to check with the police to verify the authenticity of the “pass.”

License Plate Theft

After you park your car and return, take a quick look to make sure both license plates are still there. There have been reports of license plate theft in which thieves, while driving away, have instructed drivers to pull over to return the plates or to follow them. Ignore such requests and instead drive directly to the nearest police station to report the theft.