With a high crime rate and economic inequality, safety concerns are common among expats. However, by choosing secure housing options, employing private security, and practicing vigilance, a safe lifestyle is achievable.
November 1, 2024
By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP
In 2022, there were over 2.41 million internationals in South Africa, which is a decent part of the population. But also, the total immigration share decreased from 4.2% to 3.9% between 2011 and 2022, so numbers have slightly fallen.
The reality is that South Africa offers opportunities for some people. However, it does have somewhat of a bad reputation in terms of safety.
For this reason, you need to weigh the pros and cons before you move, and you need to delve deeper into the country’s safety issues.
So is it safe to live in South Africa? Read on to find out.
Is It Safe to Live in South Africa?
Truth be told, safety is a common concern for both native-born residents and expats. With that said, it’s a multifaceted subject, with certain areas having more risks than others.
Unfortunately, South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, standing at over 27,000 murders in 2023. In addition, the country is known for high crime rates regarding theft, burglary, hijackings, and violent crime, so the South Africa danger level is high.
With that said, there are some parts in South Africa that experience this more than others. In general, major cities like Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town experience higher crime rates, while rural areas or more affluent suburbs might have lower crime rates due to better security measures.
Be Vigilant With Safety Measures
On that note, it’s not impossible to stay safe in South Africa; you just have to be more proactive. If you come from somewhere that’s already very secure, then you may not be as aware of what measures you can take.
Here are some of the common ones expats use:
Live in Gated Communities
Many residents (both locals and expats) opt to live in gated communities or compounds. These offer 24/7 security, CCTV cameras, and controlled access points. Do note that properties will cost more in these places, so you’ll need a higher budget for housing.
Just because it’s a gated community doesn’t necessarily mean you can completely let your guard down though. You should still exercise caution and follow other security measures to ensure you’re not a target.
Use Private Security
Private security is a significant aspect of life in South Africa, as the country’s high crime rate has led to a boom in this industry. In fact, there are more private security guards than police officers; these companies fill gaps in the public safety infrastructure.
Services you can get range from basic alarm system monitoring to armed response, bodyguards, and patrol services. You can even combine some methods (and you should), such as connecting your security systems with your armed response provider.
It’s very common to see patrol services in South Africa’s communities. The guards will regularly patrol by foot, bike, or car. In combination with neighborhood watch groups and local police, these security guards will significantly increase the overall security network in the area.
Practice Self-Awareness
You should always keep your wits about you when you’re in South Africa; be conscious about your surroundings and the people around you no matter where you are. Crime is very opportunistic there, so don’t take chances.
Never wear flashy jewelry and don’t walk outside after dark; this applies even if you’re with a group of people. If you must get somewhere at night, then use a rideshare like Uber, even if it’s normally a 5-minute walk to your destination.
If you drive, then you should still be on guard. Carjackings happen, so lock your doors and keep your windows up. When you’re parked, don’t leave any valuables inside.
Practice Self-Defense
You can take all the precautions you want, but all it takes is one incident to put you in danger. Should this happen, you want to be prepared.
You should carry pepper spray or a taser, as well as a whistle, which can help draw attention if you’re in trouble. Learning self-defense moves from professional classes can help too.
Be Aware of Economic Inequality
This is a phenomenon that happens everywhere in the world, but in South Africa, economic inequality is very significant. As a result, there’s higher crime in some areas.
Poverty and unemployment are underlying issues, especially in certain townships and informal settlements. You can protect yourself by living outside of those areas and only going there when necessary.
There’s Corruption in the Police Force
Unfortunately, the police force isn’t the best in South Africa. Not only are there inefficiencies, but also corruption. Both can hinder effective crime prevention and justice.
This means that residents should be proactive about their own security. It’s vital to implement the security measures we mentioned earlier so
Is South Africa Safe for LGBTQIA+ People?
Those who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community have to be extra careful when moving anywhere, so the question of “Is South Africa safe to live” may be at the forefront of your mind.
The good news is that gay marriage has been legal in the nation since 2007. Cape Town is also considered the gay capital of Africa, so if there’s anywhere to be a queer person, it’s there.
While South Africa is generally an accepting country, there will still be pockets of more conservative places. There are intolerant individuals wherever you go too, but you shouldn’t encounter anything too distressing.
A Move to South Africa Can Be Possible
So is it safe to live in South Africa? The nation does have high crime rates, but that isn’t deterring expats from moving there for opportunities.
Living in South Africa can be safe if you’re cautious and take all the necessary safety measures possible, including utilizing private security and practicing self-awareness. You should also research specific areas and understand the local context so you know exactly what to expect. That way, you won’t be in for nasty surprises.
Get in touch with us now to learn about protecting your assets when moving to South Africa. We at Global Wealth Protection provide free video training and more.
