Protestors during an anti-immigrant demonstration in Johannesburg, on June 5.Photographer: Ihsaan Haffejee/Anadolu/Getty Images
Travellers heading to South Africa are being urged to take extra precautions after Australia became the latest country to update its safety guidance, falling in step with similar warnings already issued by the United States and the United Kingdom. The advisories point to a mix of violent crime, social tension, and unease surrounding anti-immigration activity as reasons for the heightened alerts.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade revised its guidance to call on citizens to exercise a high degree of caution across South Africa, flagging that visitors are often targeted by criminals at airports, on buses and trains, and in areas popular with tourists. Specific dangers cited include armed robbery, vehicle hijackings, smash-and-grab attacks at intersections, scams involving fake police officers, and fraud at ATMs.
According to the advisory: “Crime and violence are serious issues across South Africa, including murder, rape, assault, food and drink spiking, robbery and carjacking. Be particularly alert in major city centres and township areas and when travelling after dark.” Australian officials reinforced this point separately, telling travellers to stay especially watchful in city centres, townships, and after nightfall.
Adding to the unease, Canberra also warned that demonstrations and large public gatherings could erupt with little notice, potentially leading to roadblocks, transport stoppages, and damage to property. This warning lands at a sensitive moment, as South Africa braces for a nationwide shutdown on June 30 organised by March and March, an anti-illegal immigration group that has gained traction amid growing public anger over unemployment, crime levels, and economic hardship. Officials fear the planned action could bring road closures, widespread disruption, and pockets of violence.
The concerns raised by Australia mirror those long held by its allies. The U.S. State Department continues to advise Americans to exercise increased caution in South Africa because of crime, civil unrest, terrorism-related risks, and kidnapping, specifically warning of armed robberies, carjackings, violent assaults, and protests that can disrupt both transport and business activity.
The UK has taken a similar position, warning British nationals about South Africa’s high levels of violent crime, ranging from muggings and armed attacks to vehicle hijackings and theft aimed at tourists. British travellers have additionally been told to remain alert around cash machines, avoid flashing valuables in public, and take care while driving, given the added risks night driving can pose.
With three major Western governments now aligned on the scale of the risks, and a politically charged protest movement gathering momentum ahead of the end of June, the message to international visitors appears consistent: South Africa remains open to tourism, but heightened awareness and careful planning are strongly advised in the weeks ahead.
By: Andrews Kwesi Yeboah