Is South Africa Safe for Women? Crime Rate in South Africa

Safety rating

Moderate
2.7 /5

Women living in South Africa consider the safety level to be moderate, with an overall safety rating of 2.7 out of 5.

Crime rating

Moderate
3.2 /5

Women living in South Africa consider the crime rate to be moderate, with an overall crime rating of 3.2 out of 5.

Violence rating

7%

On average 7% percentage of women in South Africa have experienced physical and/or sexual violence from an intimate partner at some time in their life, according to OECD Data.

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Crime & Safety Statistics

Based on 35 experiences

Safety rating:

2.7/5Moderate

Safety walking alone after dark:

1.5/5Very Unsafe

Safety using public transport:

2.1/5Unsafe

Crime rate:

3.2/5Moderate

Worries of being sexually harassed:

2.7/5Moderate

Worries of being sexually assaulted or raped:

2.9/5Moderate

Worries of being physically attacked:

2.7/5Moderate

Worries of home broken and things stolen:

2.8/5Moderate

Worries of being mugged or robbed:

3.2/5Moderate

Worries of being kidnapped or murdered:

2.5/5A Bit Worried

Is South Africa safe for women?

Durban

Durban is safe within the tourist zones only and would be much better if you had a tour guide. Nevertheless it is a beautiful place with many surrounding nature and safari parks. It’s situated on a coastline

Posted: December 26, 2024
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Thato

Thato

Krugersdorp

Krugersdorp is fairly safe. Just don't walk around at night, there's lots of natural landscapes, hiking spots , waterfalls and malls. All these places are safe. I've lived here since 2018 and have never been assaulted or harassed or robbed.

Posted: December 25, 2024
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Kosmos

Kosmos is a gated community in North West, and while I mostly feel completely safe during the day and in my home, I would never walk around at night - At least not by myself. The crime rate in this neighbourhood is low and the community is very welcoming.

Posted: December 25, 2024
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Krugersdorp

It’s alright, of course every area has its own problems for women. South Africa is very high unfortunately on the femicide list. Personally I have not faced problems, but I’m not deaf to other women’s stories. Krugersdorp is chill enough though.

Posted: December 24, 2024
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Bloemhof

Not very safe. Crime rate is high, with incidents happening all over. Because the town is small, you are never far away from dangerous areas. It's also a poor town, which increases crime even more. There are ways to stay safe, but overall guidance is needed in that regard.

Posted: December 24, 2024
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Luna-Naima

Luna-Naima

Johannesburg

I feel safe in Johannesburg, the people I met where very friendly and nothing bad happend so far… but I’m a little paranoid because of the high crime rate. I like the huge weather changes during the day. I LOVE the music! The social division makes me sad, I definitely have to inform myself about the history and present in this country! I like to explore but also do nothing sometimes <3

Posted: December 24, 2024
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Johannesburg

Unfortunately the crime in South Africa is incredibly high but that being said most places that you go have implemented enough safety protocols to keep women safe I think living in South Africa you get to know where it’s safe and where it isn’t and you get to know what you can do and what you can’t and it’s quite easy to stay safe and stay alive as long as you stay in the safe areas and you are cautious so guess the crime is incredibly behind South Africa but I think it’s definitely possible to stay safe if you know what to do

Posted: December 23, 2024
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South Africa

It’s a safe country as long as you don’t venture out into the unknown part of it.It’s easy to navigate alone or in a group. You need to be street smart, keep all your valuables close to you. All in all it’s a good country

Posted: December 22, 2024
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Pretoria

All areas out of Town centre are fairly safe during the day. City centre is unsafe day or night. Malls and shopping centres are mostly safe. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Do not leave bags/hand bags or purses unattended. Do not leave children alone in malls or shopping centres. Do not use your phone in busy public areas or malls.

Posted: December 21, 2024
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Cape Town

Cape Town has pockets of safe spots. Going out after dark by yourself as a solo traveler let alone a female is NOT advisable. Also choose very carefully which hostel or hotel you decide to stay in if you’re unable to find a suitable host. Because not all reviews online are necessarily accurate. And when it comes to your safety. That’s of paramount importance. Take care and extra precautions!

Posted: October 20, 2024
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Is South Africa worth visiting?

Travel rating

4.6 /5

based on 52 experiences from female travelers

Thato

Thato

South Africa

St. Lucia, Couple travel

St. Lucia was so beautiful. The weather was still warm enough to go to the beach even though it was winter in South Africa. The place we booked, The Sandpiper, was just perfect. The food, the location, the staff and everything was great. It was like 3 minutes away from the beach.

Posted: December 25, 2024Experienced: March, 2024
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Cape Town, Solo travel

Overall I felt safe, because I followed advice from Lokals. Never leave your belongings unwatched. Don't enter Townships and put your phone away while waiting for your Uber. I can really recommend doing a sunrise hike on lions head. But make sure other people will join you for that.

Posted: December 5, 2024Experienced: September, 2024
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Meet locals in South Africa

Thato

Thato

About Me

Just a girl's girl looking to meet new people and show them around. I spend all my time at work, home or the gym. So I'm looking for new friends.

Speaking

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Claudia

Claudia

About Me

My name is Claudia Hupertz a stay on a beautiful farm in the Johannesburg countryside and I am so open to meeting any lovely ladies and becoming friends with the girlies from all over the world my family is known for hospitality and I absolutely love hosting people I live in the cradle of humankind Which is full of touristy things and I go cycling through my area often so I make a pretty good tour guide🥰

Speaking

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Safety in South Africa

Frequently asked questions

Is South Africa safe?

Women living in South Africa consider the safety level to be moderate, with an overall safety rating of 2.7 out of 5.

Is South Africa safe to walk alone at night?

Women living in South Africa consider walking alone at night to be relatively unsafe, with an overall safety rating of 1.5 out of 5.

Is public transport safe in South Africa?

Women living in South Africa consider public transport to be relatively unsafe, with an overall safety rating of 2.1 out of 5.

What is the crime rate in South Africa?

Women living in South Africa consider the crime rate to be moderate, with an overall crime rating of 3.2 out of 5.

What is the risk of being sexually harassed in South Africa?

Women living in South Africa consider the risk of being sexually harassed to be moderate, with an overall risk rating of 2.7 out of 5.

What is the risk of being sexually assaulted or raped in South Africa?

Women living in South Africa consider the risk of being sexually assaulted or raped to be moderate, with an overall risk rating of 2.9 out of 5.

What is the risk of being physically attacked in South Africa?

Women living in South Africa consider the risk of being physically attacked to be moderate, with an overall risk rating of 2.7 out of 5.

What is the risk of burglary in South Africa?

Women living in South Africa consider the risk of burglary to be moderate, with an overall risk rating of 2.8 out of 5.

What is the risk of being mugged or robbed in South Africa?

Women living in South Africa consider the risk of being mugged or robbed to be moderate, with an overall risk rating of 3.2 out of 5.

What is the risk of being kidnapped or murdered in South Africa?

Women living in South Africa consider the risk of being kidnapped or murdered to be moderate, with an overall risk rating of 2.5 out of 5.