Overview of the Security Situation in South Africa in January
Researcher No. 006
According to the monitoring report of the security officer of Hanwei International stationed in South Africa and related media reports, our company has grasped nearly a hundred various types of security incidents, among which shootings, thefts/robberies, illegal mining, traffic accidents and other incidents occur frequently. Moreover, the instability of the domestic political and economic situation is also surging beneath the surface, posing a great threat to the lives and property of Chinese citizens in South China and personnel of Chinese-funded enterprises.
Hanwei International Analysis suggests that This month, the social security situation in South Africa remains extremely severe, confronted with numerous complex issues that have triggered a chain reaction.Johannesburg, the economic, political, cultural, transportation and sports center of South Africa and a city of great significance among the country's many major cities, is now on the verge of falling into the abyss of dilapidation and decline. From the dilapidated infrastructure to the increasingly serious crime problems, all these are highlighting the typical social security crisis that South Africa as a whole is facing. Gun crimes occur frequently in South Africa, involving various types such as murder, robbery and kidnapping. Gauten Province, Kwazulu-Natal Province and Western Cape Province have become high-incidence areas for such crimes. Among them, this month's robinations involve ride-hailing vehicles, cash escort vehicles, restaurants and communities. During holidays, serious traffic violations such as speeding and drunk driving occur in many places in South Africa, and road traffic safety is a cause for concern.
Since experiencing major food safety incidents in recent years, South Africa has increasingly emphasized food safety issues and has earnestly adopted food safety management measures.On January 8, 2025 local time, South Africa's Minister of Employment and Labour, Komako Shazana Maes, personally led a team to conduct a surprise inspection of the Chinese Town in Cape Town. During the inspection, not only were Chinese shopowners selling expired food discovered, but also the risk of illegal employment of workers was found, further drawing widespread attention from the Chinese community to the food safety and labor compliance issues encountered in their business operations in South Africa.
One is that the cost of living in South Africa has soared and infrastructure has collapsed.
The cost of living: Over the past five years, the prices of food, medical care, education, electricity, fuel and other items in South Africa have risen sharply, directly pushing up the cost of living for local households. Data from Statistics South Africa shows that from December 2019 to December 2024, food prices rose by 39.9% overall. Among them, in December 2024, the average price of a food basket for an ordinary household was 5,383.38 rand, an increase of more than 68% year-on-year. Medical insurance costs rose by 43%, far exceeding the 23% increase in medical services themselves. Among them, dental expenses increased by 30%, becoming another significant source of pressure on the living costs of resident families. Meanwhile, the cost of primary and secondary education has increased by 31%, and that of higher education has risen by 28%. This is undoubtedly adding insult to injury for families pursuing quality education.
Another major factor affecting household costs is the electricity bill, which has risen by as much as 70% over the past five years. This not only adds to the burden on households but also seriously impacts the operating costs of businesses, further causing a chain reaction and intensifying the price hikes of related goods and services. Infrastructure: Take Johannesburg as an example. The city's infrastructure such as roads and water supply systems is aging. Due to insufficient budget, no more than 30 kilometers of water supply pipelines are replaced each year. Moreover, pipeline leaks have led to the waste of 40% of water resources, further exacerbating the city's water crisis. Due to years of disrepair or perceived damage, the lack of street lighting has turned Johannesburg's nights into a "paradise" for criminals, who brazenly expose the ugliness of human nature. Meanwhile, with the continuous increase in population pressure, illegal buildings are everywhere. On January 7, 2025, a building collapse accident occurred in the Lesia area of the city, resulting in one person being injured.
Second, gun-related crimes have occurred frequently this month, mostly concentrated in the eastern and southern provinces.
According to the latest data from the police and the statistics bureau, there could be as many as 200,000 to 300,000 gun-related crimes in South Africa each year, which is equivalent to an average of one every five minutes. This month, the number of such crimes occurred more frequently in provinces such as Pumalanga, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape.
Pumalanga Province：In the early morning of January 11th, a mass shooting incident that shocked the whole country occurred in Pumalanga Province, South Africa, resulting in 8 deaths and 3 injuries. Gun violence crimes have once again been pushed to the forefront of public opinion. On the 12th, the police successfully arrested the suspect and found firearms and ammunition on him. Preliminary investigations suggest that this shooting incident may be related to a gang conflict. On January 16th, a serious police shooting incident occurred in Ermelo, the province. A police officer from the local vehicle appraisal department was ambushed by gunmen while driving on duty that afternoon. Subsequently, the suspect fled the scene in a white car. The police promptly launched an emergency operation and successfully arrested five suspects.
Eastern Cape Province：On January 15th, a pregnant cashier was shot at a fast food restaurant in the Zwide area of the Eastern Cape Province, raising public concerns about the safety of working at night. At that time, an unidentified male suspect was driving a white Nissan pickup truck and got into an argument with the pregnant victim. Suddenly, he pulled out his gun and shot the victim in the abdomen. Then he fled in his car. The police have classified the case as "attempted murder" and launched relevant investigations.
Western Cape Province：On January 23rd, a principal was shot dead at the entrance of a primary school in Cape Town, and a woman was also injured at the scene. At that time, the 54-year-old principal was shot at by three unidentified men while parking with a woman at the school gate. The principal died on the spot and the injured woman was sent to the hospital. At present, the criminal suspect has not yet been arrested. On January 30th, a serious shooting incident occurred outside the Brecenfeld Police Station in Cape Town. A 42-year-old man was suddenly attacked in the parking lot on the way to the police station and was shot multiple times, dying on the spot.
Thirdly, the robbery incidents this month involved diverse scenarios.
The danger of ride-hailing services has escalated：With the popularization of online car-hailing services, the personal safety of drivers has become a focus of attention. Especially in specific high-risk areas, criminals use false accounts to place orders, and the "deception" methods have become increasingly covert. On January 1st, a serious robbery occurred in Strandfontaine, Cape Town, South Africa. A ride-hailing driver defended himself with a gun while being robbed, which eventually led to the death of one suspect and injury to another. On January 11th, a ride-hailing driver was attacked by two so-called "passengers" in Johannesburg, Gauteng Province. The two snatched the driver's two mobile phones and cash and fled the scene. On January 17th, a thrilling robbery occurred in Johannesburg's Central Business district. A ride-hailing driver was robbed by two men armed with knives while driving, and the entire incident was captured by the vehicle's camera.
Burglary：At around 3 a.m. on January 3rd, a burglary occurred in Bergvleet, Western Cape Province. An employee of a security company tragically lost his life while protecting a family of three. That night, the homeowner pressed the emergency alarm button due to an abnormal noise inside the house. A security guard arrived at the scene promptly and had a physical conflict with the suspect. Unfortunately, he was shot dead in the end. On the evening of January 3rd, an armed robbery occurred at a McDonald's restaurant in Meaddale, Gauten Province, which eventually led to the shooting death of a boy. At that time, two suspects entered the restaurant and threatened to snatch cash with guns. A third suspect attacked a car during the rescue process, resulting in the death of a 6-year-old boy inside who was shot. Cash escort robbery: On December 31, 2024, an armed cash escort robbery occurred on the section of road between Morulun Village and Moguase Village in the Northwest Province. The robbery involved armed personnel with heavy weapons, but there were no casualties. That night, a cash escort vehicle carrying two security personnel was attacked by several armed men. The suspects used explosives to blow up the escort vehicle and seized an uncertain amount of cash.
Fourth, road traffic safety is fraught with dangers this month.According to relevant data from the Johannesburg police in South Africa, from December 1, 2024 to January 5, 2025, a total of 512 drivers were arrested for drunk driving in the city, and another 364 drivers were detained for speeding. On January 12th, a serious traffic accident occurred on the D2945 road in Pumalanga Province, South Africa. A Toyota car hit five pedestrians, resulting in the immediate deaths of three people (a 54-year-old woman and two children aged 10 and 14 respectively), and two others were seriously injured. Just two weeks before this accident, a driver on the N4 toll Road hit eight pedestrians, resulting in two deaths on the spot and multiple injuries. The driver fled the scene after the accident. On January 19th, a serious two-vehicle frontal collision occurred on the N2 highway between Nananga and Makhenda in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, resulting in five deaths (including a 4-month-old baby) and six injuries. On January 26th, a serious traffic accident occurred at the Oshuk border crossing on the border between Mpumalanga Province and the Kingdom of Eswatini in South Africa. A 32-ton coal transport truck lost control and crashed into 15 vehicles, causing severe damage to border facilities and injuring three people.
Hanwei International suggests that Chinese-funded enterprises and individuals in South Africa should focus on the following precautions：
First, in daily life, enhance safety awareness.In recent years, poverty in South Africa has intensified and social inequality has worsened. The further increase in living costs has affected low-income groups the most, making it difficult for them to afford basic living supplies, and more people have fallen into poverty. To meet basic living needs or maintain their original living standards, some people may, under economic pressure, embark on the path of crime, leading to an increase in criminal activities such as theft, robbery and fraud, which affects social security and reduces residents' sense of security in life. Therefore, it is recommended to keep a close eye on the security situation around you, pay close attention to local news, social media groups or security information released by the Chinese community, understand the safety conditions of your residence, workplace and frequently visited areas, and avoid areas with poor security, such as informal settlements and districts with high crime rates. Regularly check whether the door locks, window guards, surveillance equipment and alarm systems of the residence are operating normally to ensure that the safety facilities are in good condition and effective.
Second, when it comes to traveling, one should be even more cautious.This month, traffic accidents have occurred frequently, causing heavy casualties and leaving families severely affected. Take the Eastern Cape Province as an example. Nearly 200 people have died in traffic accidents this month, among which the Amatole region is one of the areas with a high incidence of accidents. It is recommended to plan a safe route reasonably before traveling, try to avoid remote, dimly lit or poorly secure areas, and reduce going out alone at night. If you need to go out, inform your family or friends of the itinerary and the expected return time. Pay attention to driving safety, abide by South African traffic rules, and firmly refuse illegal acts such as drunk driving, speeding, and fatigued driving. If you need to take a taxi, use a legitimate taxi-hailing app and check the vehicle information and the driver's identity before getting in the car.
