Pablo

No, I think some people are disagreeing with you, and you don't like it.

Is this really a serious question?

If the answer were "zero", would that mean that discussion of crime in South Africa should be banned from this list? When a person emigrates to South Africa, do you suppose that the criminals make a determination of the immigration status of their victims before attacking? Of course not. If you live there, you're in the same boat as the rest, except that you have a British passport and can get out quickly if you need to.

Tegwyn

I have only called you on it based on assumptions of the people responding negatively. My personal experiences with crime actually happened in Zambia and that is a far safer country than SA will ever be at this rate. My family members and friends have experienced their horror stories in SA and far worse than I could ever comprehend. I know far too many people that left because they felt they had to versus those just wanting to explore the world. The exodus (brain drain) speaks for itself. My connections to SA run far and deep so please don't patronize me. I am not a walking wounded but would most certainly describe myself as a realist.
Anyone that goes to that country needs to be prepared for the fact that regardless of the geographical beauty, the way you live your life will change dramatically.

Tegwyn

By the way - those crime stats you added. What proportion are british expats - just out of interest?

I'll answer that question to some degree to give the op more clarity. You will note that my nick is Tegwyn. Not exactly a South African name, and my symbol is a dragon. Dead giveaway as to where in the UK I originate.

There are many British expats just like us that headed over to the Copper Belt (Zambia, Zims) back in the 50's and 60's when job opportunities enticed them over. These areas as well as South Africa used to be termed Tropical Britain based on the sheer numbers of expats living there. Then, their children grew up and built their lives around other expats and South Africans to have the type of British/South African integration you have today. It therefore would be impossible to pull up statistics on the percentages of nationalities being attacked. A criminal usually doesn't give a toss anyway.

Stanley10

OK, so lets try again:

Q: Anyone not been attacked in Cape Town?

Ans: Currently living there and nothing to date, love the weather, lifestyle etc.

No ones disputing the high crime rate, but that wasn't the question.

Stanley10

So that a definite not.

Stanley10

I see SabsLee has left the building, well done all another notch in the belt.

the troubadour

My wife and myself spent a highly enjoyable month in South Africa(mostly Cape Town)without anything going amiss.
We walked a lot including often being out until 10 pm in places like Sea Point and CBD a few times and did accosted for money a couple of times but never felt threatened or in any real danger.
Most white South Africans we met where very positive people with regards to their lives and crime surprisingly so after what we had been told by Saffers in UK and Australia.This was back in 04-05 so perhaps things have taken a turn for the worse.
Of course one month is not a long time to be any real judge on this matter ,but we actually had a greater feeling of freedom there than here in Perth.Must add and state Durban was something different and did not at all feel at ease down town.

Tegwyn

Cape Town seems to be the last frontier for so many that wanted out of the crime riddled Gauteng. Things there not quite as bad as Joeys or Pretoria but the thugs will follow the money, wherever that is. It has increased quite dramatically in the last few years. Obviously the poverty rate, diminishing law enforcement and corruption ramping up unsavoury activities. I will tell you that armed response and private security firms are seriously coining it now with the increased demand for security.

Pablo

Actually I was attacked when I lived in CT - by some lunatic with a razor blade, as it happens. But it was not relevant, and so I did not mention it.

Stanley10

Sorry to hear that Pabs.

TooFastTim

g_harvey, please think that statement through very carefully. Consider the long term effects of "balancing the logistics" as you flippantly put it. Playing a numbers game is social engineering. What the ANC have done is interfere with the labour market. Left to it's own devices this market would have found it's own level. The result is highly skilled, highly experienced people being forced out of their professions and, frequently, into other countries. Their replacements, as stated earlier, are, more often than not, under qualified or incorrectly qualified and inexperienced. The results will be a collapse of infrastructure. Eskom, the increasing incidents of contaminated water, roads degradation etc are all symptoms. Like all forms of social engineering it is doomed to failure.

You have an opinion, your detractors have had experiences. I think you'll agree there's a world of a difference.

Mitzyboy

And everyone is entitled to their opinion on here