05/23/2008

News / Travel Alert - South Africa

May 21, 2008

This Travel Alert advises American citizens of an increase in violent attacks on foreigners, particularly refugees or immigrants from other African nations. American citizens in South Africa are urged to monitor media reports and to avoid areas where attacks may be likely to occur. This Travel Alert expires on July 1, 2008.

In recent weeks, South Africa has seen an increase in the frequency, size, and duration of “xenophobic” attacks directed at foreigners – particularly refugees or immigrants from other African nations. The most recent attacks started in the Johannesburg township of Alexandra but spread to other low income neighborhoods and informal settlements. Several recent incidents of mob violence have taken place in other areas of Johannesburg including the Central Business District (CBD), Hillbrow, and Soweto. An undetermined number of persons have been killed in these incidents and many more, including both targeted victims and bystanders, have been injured. So far, most violent incidents have taken place at night.

While there have been no reports of Americans or other non-African visitors being targeted, these incidents of mob violence have developed quickly and proven difficult for local authorities to control. American residents and visitors are advised to listen to local media for reports of such incidents and to avoid areas (including but not limited to townships) where they may be likely to occur. American citizens are reminded that while the most recent outbreak has been concentrated in the Johannesburg area, there have been attacks on foreigners in other areas and the potential exists for them to spread to other regions with little or no warning.

All Americans in South Africa are urged to register either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov or by phone or in person directly with the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria or the Consulates General in Johannesburg, Cape Town, or Durban. Registering gives U.S. citizens access to updated information on travel and security within South Africa and makes it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

The U.S. Embassy is located at 877 Pretorius Street, Arcadia in Pretoria, telephone (27-12) 431-4000 (from South Africa 012-431-4000), fax (27-12) 431-5504 (from South Africa 012-431-5504). The U.S. Embassy web site is http://usembassy.state.gov/pretoria/.

The U.S. Consulates General are at the following locations:

The Consulate General in Johannesburg, which provides consular services for Americans in both Johannesburg and Pretoria, is located at No. 1 River Street (corner of River and Riviera Roads), Killarney, Johannesburg telephone (27-11) 644-8000 (from South Africa 011-644-8000), fax (27-11)646-6916 (from South Africa (011-646-6916). Its consular jurisdiction includes Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, and Free State provinces.

The Consulate General in Cape Town is located at 2 Reddam Avenue, Westlake, Cape Town, telephone (27-21) 702-7300 (from South Africa 021-702-7300), fax (27-21) 702-7493 (from South Africa 021-702-7493). Its consular jurisdiction includes Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape provinces.

The Consulate General in Durban is located at the Old Mutual Building, 31st floor, 303 West Street, telephone (27-31) 305-7600 (from South Africa 031-305-7600), fax (27- 31) 305-7691 (from South Africa 031-305-7691). Its consular jurisdiction is the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its consular information program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.



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