What if you remove Jo'Burg from South Africa crime stats?

Question

When I read about murders, muggings, etc, and people talk about the terrible crime rate in South Africa, it seems like 99% of them are based in or around Jo'Burg. If you take South Africa and ignore the Jo'Burg crime (from a travelling point of view), surely it becomes much better? Is it really any worse than visiting some parts of India, Thailand, Mexico, Brazil, etc etc etc? I want to visit all these places, but should the risk of crime really stop me?! I'm from Leeds in the UK, and God knows I wouldn't wander round some parts of here at night!!!!!!

Answer 1

i dont know the official crime stats for SA, but you are right, Jo'Burg has alot of crime ESPECIALLY in the city centre. You'd have to be barking mad to go there, even in the day time, without company.
But saying that, all of the other major cities in SA still have high crime rates. For instance, Durban can be quite bad, but because its by the beach and there's alot of tourists, you will be marginally safer.
Cape Town by contrast, is the safest major city in SA, you can still walk around at night with relative safety, but you can still never be too careful! Remember, As a whole, not including Jo'Burg, SA is dangerous!
But as long as your careful, and don't put yourself in dodgy situations, it shouldn't stop you enjoying the place, it's absolutely beautiful there and you'd have an amazing time!
Hope this helps

Answer 2

Firstly I doubt the South African authorities are able to regionalise their crime rate. Secondly you wonder if they can even get the overall picture correct when the likes of Interpol state they understate their murder rate by at least 100%. As for crime only in Johannesburg- what a load of hooey! All major centres are extremely unsafe and foreigners are a specific target. Outside of the major centres there has been an ongoing war against Farmers for years with numerous murders and robberies so you are not safe in the so called country areas because they are no more than a soft target for the criminals. Agreed some of the major urban areas in the UK are undesirable but you are most likely in those areas to get your lights punched out. In South Africa you are more likely to get a gun or a knife thrust in your face and that could happen on the roads as well because of the high levels of road rage. Last month an 82 year old man was severely beaten by a 30 year old on a Sunday morning in an episode of road rage whilst his attackers wife and children sat in the car and watched! The old man had to have his face completely reconstructed. That is just one of numerous incidents most of which are unreported but understand many South Africans are armed to the teeth and they will not hesitate to pull a gun on you if you upset them. Two days ago a Doctor stopped to buy a soft drink and was shot dead by Robbers who took his wallet and mobile. If the newspapers were to report the crime in full they would be like daily books and they could never keep them current. Against that there are many good and law abiding citizens who are very helpful but the crime situation down there is so bad that people are leaving in droves for other Countries only to be replaced by Nigerian crime syndicates and starving Zimbabweans. You are sadly mistaken if you believe that crime is Johannesburg based and you travel anywhere in South Africa at your peril. At the end of the day it is your decision but you cannot say you were not warned.

Answer 3

Baldy, just wondering, are you South African?

Not sure if removing JHB is the answer. I have lived here for 8 years, and yes, it is much safer in, say PE (where I am originally from), but I am still careful there. I have been a victim of crime in JHB, and yes it was in town and once in Hillbrow. Before anyone asks, it was the only way home for me from varsity.

If tourists asks me if they should bother coming to JHB, my answer is simply NO. I mean, come for a day or 2 (at least to check out the Apartheid Museum), but otherwise I would advise them to spend more time at the coast (Durban, CT, PE, etc).

The biggest problem in JHB is that there is nothing really to do. So maybe if we spruced up the cultural centres, had more shows, more forms of entertainment, etc. Right now, JHB is more focused on money. Getting money, making money, stealing money. People are too worked up from chasing their tails all day long. Even the drivers are always on edge. I think we should have some sort of programme in JHB to help people more relaxed!

Answer 4

Glynis 'Baldy old git' is not from South Africa!

I'm sure if you remove Joburg from SA the crime rate would decrease but crime is not only based in Joburg. Id say that there is a lot of crime in Joburg but mainly in the center. But removing Joburg from South Africa is not the answer, the government should be doing something about he whole of South Africa!

I live in South Africa, Johannesburg and let me tell you something. We do have crime in South Africa. Don't be scared to come here because it is safe. I have been living here for 18 years and i don't want to leave South Africa. Surely if it was that bad i would of been gone long ago????

Answer 5

Jo Burg isnt that bad, People get dumb when they come here and think its really peacful every where. Dont let the crime deter you from coming here its only in some places like central joburg which is like a ghetto in the states, rough dugs and gangs but the rest is fine. And yes i thjink if you took the stats of joburg out of the picture SA would be the most crime free place on earth

Answer 6

Yes, I do feel that the vast majority of violent crimes in SA are venue specific. My best advice to you you is to stick to places that the locals would visit. I have been living here for 27 years and can honestly say that I do not know a single person who has been murdered/mugged, so I feel that people who wont come to SA for fear of death are probably being illogical. Trust me I wouldnt live here if things were that bad!

Answer 7

Is Jo'Burg part of South Africa??

Isn't it that place up north somewhere?

Sorry, just joking. I am a Capie!

Peace to my people in South Africa. We miss you and we miss the country!!

VIVA South Africa!!

Answer 8

Other areas also have high crime. Durban, Cape Town etc. Also most of the crime does not make even page 4 or 5 of the news because we are so used to murder, rape, child abuse etc!!

Answer 9

do not remove j'burg, remove the Nigerians and the Zimbabweans and get more coppers