Areas to avoid, Cape Town

I was mugged and stabbed in my back several times - while leaving work in the middle of the CBD (it was already dark but I was parked where hundreds of cars were earlier. Lucky to only have a punctured lung. That was several years ago - when people heard, I started hearing their stories. Almost everyone personally (directly) knows someone who has been affected by violent crime here. I don't know anyone who has not been a victim of petty crime. And then a few days ago a collegue was stopped by "police" at night when driving home from work. When he realised they were not police he drove on - and was shot at....

There are birds called ostriches here - and there are a lot of people who have a similiar habit of sticking their heads in the ground.

I found Europe to be a totally different story - far far safer.

I actually just just joined to be able to respond to a post about how dangerous Cape Town is. It painted a picture of lazers on highways, gun battles, physical attacks, having to break peoples fingers and the need to carry a knife, amongst others.

I don't know what this person was smoking while watching a Schwarzenegger movie, but this is not the Cape Town that I, my family, my friends and work colleagues, and public in general, know. There are some very dangerous places in Cape Town that are not of any interest to tourists, and unfortunately the poor suffer most from this violence in some of these areas of the townships where there is a gang problem. The black townships have a thriving B&B and tourism trade and these places are not just the dens of evil that people think. People of all races are welcomed and tours are safe.

Cape Town certainly has more petty and violent crime than many other major western cities and also less than many cities in Brazil , West Indies etc. All that is needed is some extra common sense. If you want to walk around with an expensive camera around your neck in deserted places, leave your valuables on your car seat while walking around, stagger around drunk in the middle of the night flashing money etc then you will probably find trouble. Just common sense. It does not take a genius to look at surroundings and work out that there might be some questionable characters about. Millions of people have visited CT without incident, and have also never, never experienced the absolute chaos that was discribed in a previous post. I drink a lot of beer and go out a lot, and never to fancy places or even the Waterfront and I have never had a problem.

I overheard a local, of the same school of thought, telling the same horror stories to a newly arrived, middle aged English couple soem time before the world cup. The predictions of violence, crime, chaos, traffic etc just went on and until I had to intervene, and waded in full blast. I chatted to the English couple for a long time and just said that they should just be sensible, use logic and make sure they enjoy themselves.

They now come back regularly and e mail me, still laughing at the idiot with the horror stories...... who now will never mention the world cup because of the success.

I was abosolutely horrified to read the one "warning" on the dangers you face when living in Cape Town. Having lived here for almost 25years I can assure you that I have never had to face machine gunfire, had a lazer aimed at me whilst driving or any of the other horrors that the writer describes and YES, I have had to travel through some of the areas that he/she mentions including the Cape Flats on numerous occassions.

Cape Town, like any other city in the world, is as safe as you make it by using common sense.

Common mistakes made by tourists:
1. Carrying camera's and other expensive electonic gadgets in your hands where they are clearly visible - pop them in a handbag/backpack to avoid tempation.
2. Don't wander around with a map looking lost - go into the nearest shop/resturant and ask for assistance.
3. Don't catch lifts in the minibus taxi's - these are dangerous even for the locals but as a tourist, you are vulnerable. Rather use a metered taxi or, in daylight hours, a bus or the train. The train which runs on the southern line i.e. from Cape Town to Simonstown is relatively safe, well patrolled and used by hundreds of local commuters but like any other country, try and sit in a carriage where there are other people and use the Metroplus option.
4. Anyone visiting the townships should make use of guided tours and should do so in daylight hours. Where there is poverty, there is opportunism - it's as simple as that.
5. Don't wear loads of jewelry - if you look at the locals you will have an idea of what you should or shouldn't wear. Again, there is a small criminal element wherever you go and Cape Town is no different.
6. Popular tourist destinations such as the Waterfront are perfectly safe and well patrolled but don't walk back to your hotels at night unless the hotel is within the Waterfront complex.
7. Keep your doors locked and your windows up when driving at night and if lost, drive to the nearest petrol station - most petrol attendants in RSA are very efficient in giving directions.

Cape town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world - not only do we have a floral kingdom, one of the 7 natural wonders of the world in Table mountain but we also have a history and the quirky mix of the rainbow nation - popping down to Kalkbay harbour to listen to the fishwives haggle, walking through Kirstenbosch National gardens, sipping wine at a little bistro near the sea, viewing art in the national gallery or even feeding squirrels in the company gardens. It's a city that lives and breathes by day and by night.

Be sensible, follow the example of the locals and try to use common sense but most of all, enjoy this beautiful city.

Do not drive to poor areas after dark. Do not drive or go to Khayelitsha, Langa, Manenberg, Guguletu, Nyanga, Bonteheuwel etc. or CAPE FLATS in general, even during the daytime unless you wish to take a chance. I've been all over the most dangerous places and I took chances which was fine with me, despite injuries, no one has killed me, but you may not be so lucky.

Read this article. You don't wanna lose your bride or pride that way:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/southafrica/8133226/Wife-of-a-millionaire-businessman-killed-in-South-Africa.html

Avoid driving an expensive car, period. Always give some change to the freaks who offer to watch or wash your car. Avoid staying out after dark if its not in a crowded touristy area. Even then, be alert.

Things you can't avoid:

While living in Mowbray in a house had machine gun fire hit my house twice within couple weeks time and some kind of car chase, helicopters flying a shooting with machine guns etc. When being shot from a machine gun, drop to the floor and roll or hide behind a sturdy object. Cover your head first.

If you live in Bishopscourt, Constantia or surrounding area you are constantly watched by "invisible" eyes, especially after dark. If you can, carry a gun or a knife to protect yourself and your friends.

Grassy Park seems a Coloured are and is quite safe during the day, but at night you could easily get shot at or robbed.

Watch out when you return home, check behind the bushes and shrubs very carefully before getting out of your car or home. Keep your yard well lit and fenced. Excellent alarms are essential.

Remember that one of the most popular homicides in South Africa is to torture and chop a victim in their own home. Also while driving a car on a highway or expressway don't think you are safe - someone can gun you down from a distance and when you crash (and most likely die) they will throw you out of your car and take your car away.

Kill and ask questions later, or rather kill and then rob is very popular in South Africa.

Stoning of passers by or drivers by is very popular in South Africa in the poor shanty town areas especially. If you are in a car that does not make you any safer. You can be surrounded, stoned or gunned down in now time.

If you can't handle dangerous countries or cities, don't travel to South Africa, but go to a more safe destination. Still, while in RSA most of the time you will be safe. Just be careful after dark. Don't open doors to strangers and be careful what parties you attend. Don't act rich, dress conservatively. Acting and dressing poor sometimes may help.

Most of South Africa is like visiting a favela in Brazil. Nowhere is truly safe, especially after dark. Yet most people survive it since the criminals only need to rob or kill so many (few) every night, and all others are left to live. You are lucky if you make through your trip to South Africa uninjured and unrobbed. Most likely you will be fine if you stay alert and aware.

If you discover a laser gun pointed at you or at your car, quickly snake away or drive away as fast as you can by turning at angles and wiggling your car's behind to prevent the shooters aim at you. If you are cornered, ram the assailants car where the sniper sits.

If attacked physically, don't run, fight back unless the attacker's got a gun and you don't. Hit them between the eyes and break their fingers.

If a person is approaching you in the dark with their hands behind that could be a gun, a knife or a muslim.

If attacked by knife, roll over on the ground, don't run. Find a stone or a brick and aim between the eyes. Try to break the assailant's fingers or poke their eyes out. Throw sand in their face if you can.

All of the above has saved my life in difficult situations. It will save yours too, hopefully.

I come from a small town outside Cape Town. I have gone overseas and know how it feels to be a stranger in another country. Personally I do not recommend visiting any places at night in Cape Town unless it is in a crowded area. But be extra careful of pick pocketing.If you know a local in the area they can give you advice specifically for that area. Do not use any form of public transport at night (especially trains) If you have to use the train, preferably use it during peak times (before 10:00 and between 15:00 to 17:30) when there are many hard working people on the trains. South Africa is a multi-racial country and any tourist can easily blend in depending on where you find yourself in Cape Town. However, try to hide your phone / camera / wallet from any public viewing because this will make you an easy target (for any tourist or South African). Especially look out for people that have worn out / torn / dirty clothes because they are likely to beg for money or ask you the time (where they will try to take your phone if you check the time). If you are willing to give someone money, always keep spare change (coins) in your pocket to prevent you from taking out your wallet where it might get stolen. And on more positive note:...Cape Town is probably the most beautiful city in South Africa and if you have the time, do visit the scenic wine town of Stellenbosch (just 50 km East of Cape Town)

I will never return to south Africa again. This is a God Forsaken Hell Hold. If you are white or asian you will be signaled out for crime. I was pick pocketed and my friend had her Ipad stolen. I just got home to the states and I finally feel safe! Cape Town is the most racist horrible place on the planet! THE BLACK PEOPLE THERE WANT TO KILL OR USE YOU!!!!!BEWARE!!!

I can't believe what I am hearing. No wonder so many tourists get mugged and hi jacked in SA. You should avoid places like the Cape Flats, Mitchells Plain, Guguletu ect at all costs, these places are extremely dangerous!I am definitely NOT a racist, but if you want to be in a dangerous area, go there.

BE CAREFUL AND STAY AWAY!

On the whole I had a lovely time in Cape Town where I was staying with family. However I decided to take the Red Bus City tour of Cape Town, and felt as I would be with a group of other fellow tourists it would be ok. However I did not count on being the only tourist waiting for the bus, which was extremely late, outside the District 6 museum!!! Although the museum was extremely thought provoking, I felt extremely vunerable whilst waiting for the bus as I soon attracted the attention of some local drunks! Before I knew it I was surrounded by 4 guys harrasing me for money, grabbing my wists etc!! Luckily one of the employees from the museum saw and helped me back in where I waited inside for the bus. I urge anyone who does the bust tour, if you are doing it by yourself ask if you can join other fellow tourist when getting off a stops. This incident really did ruin my stay in Cape Town unfourtunately, as I felt so scared and vunerable, a feeling which I am not used to.