Israel lists SA as high crime risk

Country issues travel warning for citizens

THE Israeli government has issued a travel advisory for its citizens, warning them of the dangers they expose themselves to when visiting South Africa.

In the travel warning issued on New Year’s Day, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “In South Africa, there is a high level of crime.”

Adding details for its citizens, the ministry described South Africa as a country battling violent crime, adding that women were also at risk.

It appeared the security concerns were heightened after an Israeli woman was gang-raped and robbed while on holiday in Mpumalanga in September last year.

The ministry warned in the statement: “Violent crimes are also common and target tourists.

“The majority of criminal episodes are concentrated in townships and homeless areas, including commercial areas, especially in the evenings and after dark,” the statement said.

According to Israel’s leading newspaper, the Jerusalem Post, which received the full advisory warning and ran it as one of their major news items, the ministry presented several recommendations for Israeli visitors.

These included not using public transport and carrying too much money or valuables, leaving natural reserves and other tourist areas before dark, as well as hiding valuables under the seats of vehicles when driving.

Moreover, it advised women not to walk alone as they become easy targets.

The online article by the publication drew several comments from people who seemed to have knowledge of South Africa’s crime situation.

One user commented: “South Africa is a cesspool of rape, crime and hatred.

“My daughter has to move apartments and I told the new landlords, only on condition of installing security gates on all opening doors. This place is a haven for criminals and rapists.”

The country’s high crime rate has been in the global spotlight for years, with some international organisations even equating its murder rate to that of countries which are at war.

On December 23, the US revised its travel warning for its citizens and changed its alert from Level 1 (normal) to Level 2 (increased caution).

In the advisory, US authorities warned their citizens to exercise increased caution when in South Africa because of crime, civil unrest and drought.

The advisory’s country summary said South Africa was prone to violent crimes such as armed robbery, rape, carjacking, mugging, and “smash-and-grab” attacks on vehicles.

“There is a higher risk of violent crime in townships and the CBDs of major cities after dark.

“Protests, and strikes occur frequently. Such events have the potential to turn violent.

“These can develop quickly without prior notification, often interrupting traffic, transportation and other services.

“Parts of South Africa are experiencing severe weather conditions, including drought and/or flooding. Water supplies in some areas may be affected and there may be restrictions on water usage in some municipalities,” it said.

Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) spokesperson Clayson Monyela said the ministry would not comment on the issue.

While Dirco hardly comments on advisories about the country, in 2017 the ANC took offence when Australian MP Matthew Guy, while commenting on prisoners who had escaped from one of their correctional facilities, called for the sacking of a state premier, saying that the current government was “standing by and allowing Melbourne to become the Johannesburg of the South Pacific”.

The ruling party then said the comments were derogatory and sought to portray South Africa in a negative manner, “more specifically, the city of Johannesburg as crime-infested”.