City Safety

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City Safety:

Tourists are very seldom the victims of theft or personal injury due to tourist areas having good security and the area being monitored by our Tourist Protection Unit of our Police Services.

Every city in the world has good areas and bad areas. Find out which areas to avoid from your hotel or tour leader. The management of the establishment you are staying in will be more than helpful in informing you of which areas to avoid because of crime.

The following tips are specifically designed to ensure that you, as a highly valued, most welcome and truly appreciated KZN tourist, have a safe, happy and enjoyable holiday in the Kingdom of the Zulu - free from any unpleasantness whatsoever.

1. Durban City Initiatives

Durban’s CBD in partnership with the metro police, South African Police(SAP) and Tourist Protection Unit have made a considerable effort to protect and safeguard tourists and civilians alike : from surveillance cameras and improved lighting on the beachfront, to security guards watching over most large shopping centres and many businesses .

2. Special Precautions

Avoid carrying large sums of cash, having cameras or video cameras loose, cellphones or mobile phones openly displayed or leaving belongings unattended.

It is imperative that you not publicise your valuables eg: jewellery, camera, cellphones, etc. This rule applies for all public places from the beaches, the parks, the business districts, open air markets and shopping malls.

Be wary at lonely lookout points, especially at dusk or after dark. At night, try to avoid isolated dark places. If you are venturing out at night travel in as large a group as possible and stay in well lit areas where there is lawful activity.

Only take advice from Durban’s Tourist Protection Unit or your hotel staff on where to venture after dark. It is advisable to move around in groups rather than exploring new places on your own. If possible please carry only small amounts of cash.

The tourist protection unit is exactly that: here to protect you, the tourist. You are more than welcome to request their presence when you are venturing into areas you, or locals, may perceive to be dangerous.

Your safety on the street is as much dependent on your mental attitude as it is on your physical behaviour. Walk tall with your shoulders straight and your head held high.

Even if you are unaware of exactly where you are going, try to look as if you are well aware of your destination. At the same time be constantly alert and look around you at regular intervals. Remain consistently aware of your immediate surroundings.

Avoid carrying large or cumbersome items that may obstruct your movements.

Don’t stop for individuals who request a light or spare change, rather move on purposely and be quick, brave and confident in your stride.

In the event of an unpleasant incident, do not be tempted into reacting aggressively. It is far more preferable to let your possessions go than to hold onto them and risk being injured in the process.

3. Street Children

Like many other cities in the world, our cities do have a problem with street children. Social workers counsel against giving money to these children as it usually gets handed over to an older person or is used for sniffing glue.

It is far more advisable to avoid interacting with streetchildren altogether as some of them have been implicated in tourist related crimes, such as bag snatching and cellphone / mobile phone theft.

If you wish to assist our street-children in an effective manner, it is strongly suggested that you donate your money to the many KZN foundations that house, clothe, feed, educate and rehabilitate our streetchildren. Check our database for details.

4. Car Guards

In some areas, uniformed attendants will either take a fee or offer to mind your car for a tip, these are our South African “Car Guards”.

There are, as well, “unofficial” car guards ( ie: those without the official bib ) who direct you to a vacant parking bay or ask for money to mind the meter for you. Feel free to decline their services and use a parking garage or official parking lot instead.

5.Car Washers:

In some areas, certain individuals will ask if they could wash your car for you. Unless you give him/her specific instructions to do so, at no time are you obliged to have him/her wash your car or to pay him/her for a service you did not want in the first place.

If payment is still demanded for the car wash, get into your car and drive away before the situation gets unpleasant.

6. Money Belts & “Moonbags”:

It is advisable to not carry large amounts of cash or too many credit cards or valuables in your money belt or moonbag. Rather keep your daily cash resources at a minimum level, so in that way you do not draw attention to yourself by having a large “ bulge” that would possibly make you a target of criminal activity.

Part of the
TKZN Network:
www.zulu.org.za
Regions:
- Battlefields
- - Ladysmith
- North Coast (Dolphin Coast)
- Drakensberg
- - East Griqualand
- Durban
- - 1000 Hills
- - Umhlanga (Sugarcoast)
- - Amanzimtoti
- Pietermaritzburg
And The Midlands
- - Howick
- - Nottingham Road
- - Boston-Bulwer
- - The Amble
- - The Beer Route
- - Mpophomeni
- Midlands Meander
- South Coast
- -Umdoni (Greater Scottburgh)
- -Hibiscus Coast
- Zululand
- Elephant Coast
Experiences:
- Battlefields
- Beach
- Berg
- Bush
- Buzz
Other Sites:
- KZN Literature
- Community Tourism Association
- Safety and Security
- Backpacking
Miscellaneous:
- Feedback
- Search These Sites

Translations:

Printable version

Tourism KwaZulu-Natal
Email: tkzn@iafrica.com.
Telephone: +27 (0) 31 366 7500. Fax: +27 (0) 31 305 6693
Postal Address:
TKZN, P.O. Box 2516, Durban 4000, South Africa
Street Address:
Suite 303 Tourist Junction
160 Pine Street
Durban 4001
South Africa
uShaka Marine Park Information Office: +27 (0) 31 337 8099
Durban Airport Office: +27 (0) 31 408 1000
V+A Cape Town Office: +27 (0) 21 405 4540
Kokstad Office: +27 (0) 39 727 4444
Careline: 086 010 1099
Fax-on-demand: +27 (0)82 232 5670

Disclaimer: The information in this Web site is used entirely at the reader's discretion, and is made available on the express condition that no liability, expressed or implied, is accepted by Tourism KwaZulu-Natal or any of its associates, employees, branches or subsidiaries for the accuracy, content or use thereof. Important: links to other Web sites from this Web site do not imply endorsement by Tourism KwaZulu-Natal.

Time in the Kingdom of the Zulu 21:06, Thursday 21 August 2008