South Africa (2010, insurance, crime rate)

[Interpol76]

Is it really that violent there? I was thinking about going to the 2010 world cup.

[Voltaire]

Yes, sadly crime is a major problem in South Africa.
Armed hijackings, rapes, and robberies are common here, but it's not like you're going you get shot two minutes off the plane. Crimes against tourists are rare, the last one I heard about was a few days ago when a German man was robbed and murdered while taking a walk alone on a deserted beach in KwaZulu-Natal. Not a good idea. Listen to what people in your hotel or in restaurants tell you, if they say don't go here, or it's not safe to do this, then don't do it! If you could go with some kind of tour group that would be ideal.
So far I've never been attacked, but many of my friends have experienced crime. South Africa is a beautiful country, with great people, food, weather, culture, etc. That's why I choose to live here. Don't let the crime issue keep you away, if you take the necessary precautions then nothing with happen to you. I don't live in fear, and neither do most South Africans.

Come to either Cape Town or Port Elizabeth for the World Cup, they're amazing cities with the prettiest beaches in the world. They're also the safest cities in South Africa. Places like Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Durban tend to be much more dangerous.

[Crew Chief]

Wife and I toured South Africa with a tour group in 2000. We had no problems. Always went places in groups or at least another couple. I'd probably go today with just my wife and just exercise reasonable caution.

[sternawilson]

south africa, just like any other country, has it's good parts and bad parts. if you are traveling to south africa for the first time, you might want to get a local person to show you around town. especially with the 2010 world cup. it is going to be chaos. try and stay with a host family that is going to the world cup themselves, you'll experience a personal side that might not be as fancy as a luxury hotel. but local hospitality beets glamour by far!

[censusdata]

SA's murder rate is 15 TIMES worse than the United States. It's homicide rate makes Mexico look like paradise

[vanderbyl]

I'm a South African and can confirm that crime and violent crime is a major problem here. We're heading for a general election within 2 months and as usual ALL political players are making claims that crime and violence is on the top of their lists of priorities, however, It is customary for the newly sworn in president to grant pardon to a number of prisoners.
A known fact here is that the South African Police Services are doing everything within their means to contain and reduce the occurences of criminal activity. More police officers are being trained and I'm sure that FIFA representatives will ensure that the safety of all visitors to South Africa will
be ensured.
My advice:
travel in properly organised groups
memorise the emergency number 10111 (our version of your 911) and use it if necessary
Ask hotel staff about the safety of the area. A local church could also be of assistance.
avoid the "seedy" areas, (there have been reports of legalising prostitution for 2010!!!)
ensure that youy have medical insurance that covers you in private hospitals if the need should arise.
Need further info? e mail me thru this medium or use: alanvdb@dut.ac.za
Hope this is of some help.

[dali_wami]

As a native of both SA and Namibia - SA is dangerous but people really do exaggerate when it comes to crime.

I have to be honest with you - most people are afraid to travel to SA because they fear that they will be robbed by blacks but I can tell you this - it's a stereotype enforced constantly. SA crime is blind to colour and commited by all the rotten apples of all races.

SA is a wonderful place to live when you take the necessary precautions - but when you come here with an attitude of I am going to get robbed or something bad will happen - then it will happen.

I would be more afraid of travelling to the USA let alone live there than in Southern Akebu-Lan - the USA and Western countries actually have much higher crime rates than other places in this world it is just swept under the carpet.

Also the crime rate in SA - is dropping and if you get your info from the mass media they are misleading you.

Just my 2cents.

[dali_wami]

Originally Posted by censusdata

SA's murder rate is 15 TIMES worse than the United States. It's homicide rate makes Mexico look like paradise

You information is highly inaccurate.

Everyone knows that the USA is crime central of the Universe.

[varduren]

uhm, as an SA citizen, yes, crime is high statistically. but if you are a little streetwise and careful you will certainly be OK. its not as if there's a madman with an AK-47 on every street-corner. the problem is that crime is very overrepresented and unfortunately, us non-whites are always shown as the perpetrators, this is a little convenient as uhm, well we form the demographic majority. just be careful, be a little more cautious than you would be in your own country and most of all, be careful who you listen to. there are many afro-pessimists, most of whom are a little annoyed that they comfort of apartheid was robbed from them. (thank you rest of the world for sanctions! it worked!) then again, to be fair, anyone who enjoyed that level of favouritism and then had it disappear would be somewhat bitter never sweet wouldnt they....

[Raleigh's Finest]

Yes there is crime in south africa like anywhere else but a lot of it is taken place in the townships like Alexandria. You just have to take the same precautions like you would do anywhere like not going to darkened streets at night alone. Those stats for crime are waaaaayyyyy off the real crime stats as almost every other african or developing country do not submit there stats, SO SOUTH AFRICA WOULD PROBABLY BE ONE OF THE SAFEST COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD.