Crime in Cape Town -–
should you be concerned about safety?

The short, honest answer is “Yes”. Safety in Cape Town is a hot topic.

Crime in Cape Town is an issue and it would be irresponsible not to warn you that this is the case.

On the other hand, some people imply that to visit Cape Town will almost inevitably result in you falling victim to crime. This is simply not true.

How do I know it’s not true?

I live here. I have done for the last 18 years, part from a 3-year absence when I was based in London. (You can read more about me here)

In that time I have lived and worked in various parts of this city, some distinctly less than middle-income. My total brushes with crime in Cape Town have been as follows:

I’m not denying that I’ve got off lightly. Many Capetonians have not been as fortunate as that. But before anyone suggests either that I live in a well-guarded fortress or that I don’t get out much, let me describe how I do live.

Yes, my garden has a secure perimeter with a 6-foot-high fence. Unlike some homes in the suburb, we have no electric fencing or razor wire on the premises. I am usually in and out of the property several times a day and oh yes, our dog is a regular family pet, not a trained attack dog!

How do you keep safe?

There’s no guarantee that being careful will keep you outside the crime stats. All the same, if you’re living in or visiting a place where crime is an issue, you should take some precautions. Here’s what I do.

In general I take the precautions I have taken in every large city I have visited or lived in.

In the car

But what about the statistics for crime in Cape Town?

Cape Town crime statistics (like the rest of South Africa’s) are truly horrifying. I find myself wondering if I live in the same city, as my experience would indicate the statistics are not true. Unfortunately, they are true.

Much as it irks me to do so, until the Table Mountain and Lions Head safety situation is under control I must advise you to avoid hiking on them.

Cable car visits to the the top of Table Mountain are still fine, but venturing off the well beaten track is not a good idea.

I hate to say this, but rather be safe than sorry :o(

So how do I reconcile my reality with the statistics? There must be a middle ground somewhere between the doom merchants and Cloud Cuckoo Land.

This may seem simplistic but my conclusion is that statistics for lower income areas skew the figures for the entire city.

There are comparatively high levels of crime in lower income areas. (Tourists seldom venture into these areas unaccompanied.) The average middle-class resident or tourist is far less likely to become a victim of crime than a lower-income Capetonian.

In short, while you need to be careful you need not be paralysed by fear. I don’t believe that the crime in Cape Town is at such a level that it should stop you from visiting.

But of course that’s a decision you must make for yourself.


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