
STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL ADVISORY - South Africa
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SOUTH AFRICA - CAUTION
 February 19, 1992

Summary:  The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to exercise
caution when traveling in South Africa. Clashes with security forces
or between political factions have occurred at political gatherings
and demonstrations.  Right-wing violence is increasing and may pose
risks to travelers.  Visitors in major cities should take
appropriate precautions because of a significant increase in street
crime.  The Department does not encourage travel to South Africa's
"Independent Homelands" because of the difficulty in providing
consular assistance.  In addition, professional artists, musicians
and others visiting South Africa to participate in cultural events
should ensure that their performance contracts are executed with
care.  End summary.

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens that the political
situation in South Africa remains unsettled and U.S. citizens should
exercise caution when traveling in South Africa.  Visitors should
exercise particular caution at political gatherings or
demonstrations, since some political demonstrations have resulted in
clashes with security forces or between political factions.
Violence is most common in Natal and the Transvaal, but incidents
also occur in the Orange Free State and Cape Province.

Right-wing violence has grown as the situation in South Africa has
become less favorable to hard-line apartheid supporters.  Right-wing
groups are believed responsible for the bombing of post offices and
integrated schools.  The Department of State, however, does not
believe that foreign tourists are a specific target of these
terrorist bombings.

Areas most frequented by tourists, such as game parks and beaches,
are not generally affected by the situations described.  Visitors to
city centers in all major cities, particularly central Johannesburg,
should exercise caution due to significant increases in street
crime, including muggings of tourists.  Thefts from hotel rooms and
vehicles are especially common, and visitors should take extra
precautions to safeguard their valuables.

Travel to the so-called "Independent Homelands" of Bophuthatswana,
Venda, Ciskei, and Transkei is not encouraged.  Neither the United
States nor any other country in the world except South Africa
recognizes these areas as independent countries.  Therefore,
American citizens should be aware of the special difficulties the
U.S. Government faces in providing consular assistance in these
areas.  Homeland officials often deny or severely limit access by
U.S. consular officials to U.S. citizens under arrest or otherwise
in distress in these areas.  Officials in the Homelands have not
consistently notified U.S. consular officials when American citizens
have been arrested.

Due to the lifting of the "cultural ban" on South Africa, many
cultural groups have visited the country.  These groups should
exercise caution in ensuring that the contract between
agents/promoters and themselves is properly drawn up and clearly
understood.  An increasing number of American sportsmen, musicians
and other performers have become stranded in South Africa due to
difficulties with their agents/promoters.  Individuals under
performance contracts should carry personal funds while in South
Africa, so that they do not become stranded due to breach of
contract.

Due to the potential for fast-changing political developments, U.S.
citizens who live in South Africa or visit for an extended period
should register at the American Embassy in Pretoria, Thibault House,
225 Pretorius St., tel. 28-4266; or at the U.S. Consulates General
in Johannesburg, 11th Fl. Kine Center, Commissioner and Kruis Sts.,
tel. 331-1681,; in Cape Town, Broadway Industries Center,
Heerengracht, Foresshore,  tel. 214-280; or in Durban, Durban Bay
House, 29th Fl., 333 Smith St., tel. 304-4737,

 No. 92-027

This replaces the previous travel advisory dated July 19, 1991, and
cautions U.S. citizens of an increase in right-wing violence in
South Africa and advises cultural groups and professional
entertainers to perform in South Africa only after careful review of
their performance contracts.

