Destination: South Africa

LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK INFORMATION

Dangers & Annoyances

Crime

Crime is the national obsession and, apart from car accidents, it’s the major risk that you’ll face in South Africa. However, try to keep things in perspective, and remember that despite the statistics and newspaper headlines, the majority of travellers visit the country without incident.

The risks are highest in Jo’burg, followed by some township areas and other urban centres. Daylight muggings are common in certain sections of Jo’burg, and the city’s metro train system has had a problem with violent crime. No matter where you are, you can minimise the risks by following basic safety precautions, including the following:

Never carry anything you can’t afford to lose; in particular, don’t flash around a camera. Use reliable safes wherever you can find them for storing your documents and valuables.

Never look as though you might be carrying valuables, and leave watches, necklaces and earrings out of sight; wearing an expensive-looking T-shirt makes you look just as rich as wearing jewellery or a suit does. Completely avoid external money pouches.

Avoid groups of young men; trust older mixed-sex groups.

Divide your cash into several stashes, and always have some ‘decoy’ money or a ‘decoy’ wallet readily accessible to hand over if you are mugged. Don’t keep money in your back pocket.

Decoy wallet or not, keep a small amount of cash handy and separate from your other money so that you don’t need to pull out a large wad of bills for making purchases.

One of the greatest dangers during muggings or carjackings, especially in Jo’burg, is that your assailants will assume that you are armed, and that you will kill them if you get a chance. Stay calm, and don’t resist or give them any reason to think that you will fight back.

Listen to local advice on unsafe areas.

Avoid deserted areas day and night, and especially avoid the commercial business district areas of larger cities at night and weekends.

If you’re going to visit a township – and it will certainly be one of the highlights of your visit to South Africa – go with a trusted guide or as part of a tour.
Try not to look apprehensive or lost.

Avoid driving at night and, day or night, keep your doors locked and windows up. Especially if you’ll be driving alone, it’s worth hiring a mobile phone. Leave your car in secure parking at night, and don’t leave anything valuable inside.

Crime rates are nowhere near as high in Lesotho and Swaziland as they are in South Africa. Maseru has seen an increase in armed robberies, break-ins and carjackings targeting expatriates (though it’s still small-scale compared with South Africa), and street crime is rising in Mbabane and Manzini. As long as you follow the basic precautions, you should be fine. Elsewhere in Lesotho and Swaziland, crime is negligible.

Travel Advisories

Government travel advisories are good sources of updated security information, and are well worth perusing before heading to South Africa:

Australia
Canada
UK
US

Drugs

Dagga or zol (marijuana) was an important commodity in the Xhosa’s trade with the San. Today it is illegal but widely available. There are heavy penalties for use and possession but many people still use the drug – often quite openly, as you’ll discover in some of the backpacker hostels and bars you might frequent. The legal system does not distinguish between soft and hard drugs.

Ecstasy is just as much a part of rave and clubbing culture in South Africa as it is elsewhere. South Africa is also reputed to be the world’s major market for the barbiturate Mandrax, which is now banned in many countries (including South Africa) because of its devastating effects. Drugs such as cocaine and heroin are becoming widely available and their use accounts for much property crime.

Travelling to South Africa?
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