South Africa is becoming popular in the African tourism industry due to its diversity of cultures, big game populations, sun-soaked cities, and incredible natural beauty.
It’s the southernmost country on the African continent and has surprises at every turn, from bustling urban centers to dynamic cuisine.
Unfortunately, crime haunts South Africa’s global reputation and prevents less daring tourists from visiting the country.
The country exhibits high crime rates, from corruption to homicide and sexual assault to carjacking.
Knowing the most dangerous cities in South Africa is essential if you plan to visit.
So keep reading to learn more!
Contents
10 Most Dangerous Cities in South Africa
Ten: Inanda
Coming in at number ten on the list is Inanda, a small township in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, approximately 30 kilometers northwest of Durban.
A survey conducted by the Medical Research Council found that over 75% of men admitted to performing violence against women, with half admitted raping a woman more than once.
In addition, 73% of those men said they performed their first rape before 20.
Last year, the city reported 297 rape cases, the highest in the country.
Nine: Plessislaer
Located only a short distance from Pietermaritzburg, Plessislaer has seen a significant spike in homicides over the past year jumping from 43 to 73.
This number is low compared to other South African cities, but the fact that it almost doubled in 12 months is concerning.
Also, rapes and assaults are commonplace throughout the city, so Plessislaer is best avoided if possible.
Eight: Umlazi
Located southwest of Durban, Umlazi is the fourth-largest township in South Africa.
If you’re female, you may want to think twice about visiting Umlazi.
In 2020, the city reported 293 incidences of rape, making it one of the worst places in the country for this crime.
Also, the city is incredibly corrupt and poor and should be avoided unless visiting a local.
Finally, there aren’t many attractions or cultural sites to see in Umlazi, so there shouldn’t be a need to visit.
Seven: Rustenburg
Rustenburg is where political tensions constantly boil over into the streets resulting in violence.
Car hijackings and kidnapping are everyday occurrences, with homicides, raps, and assaults on the rise.
Regardless of how much common sense you use while visiting Rustenburg, there’s always a high probability that you could become the victim of a violent crime.
Six: Cape Town
With the sweeping views of Table Bay and the backdrop of Table Mountain, Cape Town is one of the most picturesque cities on Earth.
As South Africa’s most popular city and capital, it’s easy to see why over three million tourists visit annually.
The city combines a distinctly urban edge with the surrounding natural beauty.
Unfortunately, Cape Town also has South Africa’s highest murder rate.
With a total crime rate of 73.78 and a safety rate of 26.22, there is a chance of being the victim of a crime, even though it’s lower on this list.
The worst crime in Cape Town is corruption amongst government officials and police.
Five: Port Elizabeth
Situated on Algoa Bay in the Eastern Cape Province, Port Elizabeth is a significant port city best known for its stunning beaches.
The Donkin Heritage Trail brings visitors through the Old Hill neighborhood and the various Victorian landmarks that dot the streets.
Coastal boat tours allow gawkers to spot rare seabirds and whales, while reserves are home to rhinos, elephants, and other large game.
Unfortunately, while Port Elizabeth may sound like a traveler’s dream, it’s steeped in crime, with an overall crime rate of 75.92 and a safety index of 24.08.
Four: Pietermaritzburg
Known as the City of Flowers due to the rose beds and azaleas found in the National Botanical Gardens and other public areas, Pietermaritzburg is a land-locked city in and capital of the KwaZulu-Natal province.
Pietermaritzburg is also famous for the Dusi Marathon and Comrades sporting events and is surrounded by natural beauty.
Unfortunately, the city is not all roses and sunshine, especially with a crime index of 79.73 and a safety rating of 20.27.
The risk of being scammed, attacked, or mugged in Pietermaritzburg is high for locals and tourists, and private and public transportation can be incredibly dangerous.
Three: Johannesburg
Beginning as a modest mining town, Johannesburg, or Jo’burg, has become the economic capital of South Africa and a world-class city.
It’s established a reputation for its apartheid and township struggles, but is it as unsafe as expected?
Jo’burg is the country’s largest city and is in the wealthiest region on the continent, the Gauteng Province.
However, due to the many downtown slums and extensive political corruption, it’s important to continue taking precautions when visiting the city.
Jo’burg has a crime index of 80.65 and a safety rating of 19.35, placing it third on this list.
Political and racial violence, drug-related crimes, and poverty are common in Jo’burg due to the stark disparities in wealth.
Two: Durban
Located on South Africa’s eastern coastline, Durban has one of the country’s largest seaports and features rapidly growing tourism.
As the third largest city in the country, Durban is bordered by the “Golden Mile,” a surfer’s paradise on the Indian Ocean.
This area is also well-known for its diversity of cultures, including Zulu influences, an Indian culinary scene, and colonial history.
While it’s easy to feel at home in Durban, it’s not a safe city.
Durban is the second most dangerous city in South Africa, with a crime index of 80.84 and a safety index of 19.16.
Despite the heavy police presence in touristy areas, robberies, harassment, and petty crime are common.
One: Pretoria
Topping this top 10 most dangerous cities in South Africa list is Pretoria, which serves as the location of the executive branch of government.
The city is a critical industrial and rail center, only one hour from Jo’burg by car.
Although 35% of city residents sit below the poverty line, this is low for Africa, and plenty of wealthier suburbs exist.
However, Pretoria boasts a massive crime index of 81.94 with a safety rating of 18.06.
The two most common crimes are armed robberies and government corruption.
In comparison, Pretoria is the second most dangerous city in the world, behind Caracas, Venezuela.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to South Africa
There are a few safety tips you must follow when visiting, including:
One: Know Where to Avoid
Crime in South Africa tends to be higher in the townships, but staying safe doesn’t mean avoiding them altogether.
Some of the best memories can be from exploring the towns outside city centers.
They are friendly places, but it’s best to visit them during the daylight and with a local guide who knows the area.
For instance, the Soweto area of Johannesburg has bus, cycle, and walking tours, and the locals welcome tourists.
Two: Don’t Walk Alone at Night
Many become victims of crimes simply by walking around cities at night instead of taking public or private transportation.
Pickpocketing occurs even when walking in groups, but it is more likely to happen when wandering alone.
Therefore, avoid walking alone, especially at night, and if you must, stick to the main streets with plenty of people.
Three: Don’t Flash Valuables in Public
Wearing designer clothing or flashing jewelry or other expensive objects in public are excellent ways to become the victim of a crime.
Bringing expensive items on vacation is not advisable, but always keep them hidden if you must get them.
Also, don’t walk around with your passport; keep it locked in the hotel room.
The more it seems like you are a tourist who doesn’t know the area, the more likely you are to become a target.
Instead, put the phone down and take it out at a restaurant or safely at your hotel.
Four: Have a Dummy Wallet
If you must walk around public places, carry a dummy wallet with canceled credit cards or other irrelevant documents.
The dummy wallet will distract pickpockets and other potential criminals from your actual credit cards and cash, which must be kept in a zipped pocket, shoe, or other difficult-to-access clothing.
Five: Follow Your Instincts
Being hyper-aware while navigating the beautiful country is necessary.
If you are walking any distance, look in all directions and let everyone around you know you’re paying attention by looking alert and keeping your head up.
Avoid being alone on a sidewalk and move as close to other families as possible.
If you end up alone on a quiet side street, return to a main road that is bustling with people.
Also, if a stranger gives you too much attention, make eye contact and say hello, then step into a store with other shoppers.
South Africa Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: South Africa Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: HIGH
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: HIGH
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: HIGH
- TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the safest South African cities?
Bloemfontein is considered the safest South African city allowing you to focus on the many sites to enjoy.
Also, Summerstrand, Upper Wamer, and Ovemore are +safe places to visit.
What are the most common crimes in South Africa?
Corruption within government officials and the police force is prevalent in South Africa and is the most common crime.
Unfortunately, South Africa also has exceptionally high murder, robbery, and violent crime rates.
During the final three months of 2022, 83 individuals were murdered in South Africa each day!
The highest murder rates occur in the KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape provinces.
Is ridesharing safe in South Africa?
All ridesharing companies vet their drivers to ensure they hold valid licenses and pose no threat to customers.
Also, ridesharing companies have created several tools to ensure safety.
First, most allow updated information on the GPS-tracked ride and time of arrival, which can be sent to five contacts.
Two, an in-app emergency button can be quickly activated, and the distress is sent to two private security companies.
Third, customers can use the 24/7/365 customer support features to report potential issues.
Four, passengers can check driver information the second a driver accepts the request.
Finally, the safety center feature gives customers information about insurance, safety tips, and community guidelines.
What a load of nonsense.
High on the threat of terrorism in South Africa?
More chance of terrorism in New York or Oklahoma City or mass shootings at least once a day. Mind you these a real. 😊
Good read! I will be traveling there for a week and I am researching places to avoid in SA, I am glad I am reading posts like this too.