South Africa Responds to Updated U.S. State Department Travel Advisory

Six days after a testy meeting between United States President Donald Trump and South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, the U.S. Department of State issued an updated Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution warning for the country, citing a rise in crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping.

“Violent crime is common and includes robbery, rape, carjacking and mugging,” the advisory reads. “There are also ‘smash-and-grab’ attacks on vehicles. Violent crime is more common in the downtown areas of big cities, especially after dark… Kidnappers target U.S. citizens and other foreign travelers to steal money. Captors often force victims to withdraw cash or give online account passwords before they are let go.”

On June 4, 2025, South Africa’s Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille, responded to the advisory, rebuffing its claims.

“We respect the sovereign right of all nations to provide guidance to their citizens travelling abroad,” she said. “We also acknowledge the recent meeting between Presidents Ramaphosa and Trump and the subsequent media coverage that has followed.”

She added that it is important to provide “broader context” and reaffirmed South Africa’s “unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of all visitors to our country.”

“South Africa remains one of the most sought-after and rewarding travel destinations in the world — known for its natural beauty, cultural diversity, and the warm hospitality of its people. While challenges such as crime exist, as they do in many countries globally, the overwhelming majority of international visitors travel safely and leave with positive, enriching experiences.

Visitor safety is, and continues to be, a national priority. It is actively addressed through a range of coordinated efforts between government, law enforcement, the tourism sector, and local communities.”

She continued by detailing the country’s safety measures, including:

• Increased security presence in key tourism nodes, supported by trained Tourism Monitors stationed at popular attractions and visitor hotspots;
• Ongoing collaboration between government, law enforcement, and the private sector to ensure proactive safety monitoring and swift incident response.

She added that travel demand from the U.S. remains robust. In 2024, arrivals from the U.S. returned to pre-pandemic levels. The U.S. also surpassed the U.K. as South Africa’s largest source market.

“In the first four months of 2025 alone, South Africa welcomed 111,491 visitors from the USA — reaffirming the destination’s enduring appeal and strong market confidence.”

She concluded: “We understand that travelers may have concerns, and we encourage all visitors to exercise the same level of vigilance and awareness they would when visiting any international destination. We also call on media outlets and government agencies globally to report on South Africa with accuracy and balance, recognizing the distinction between isolated incidents and the broader reality experienced by millions of safe and satisfied travelers.

We are engaging closely with the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation on this matter and wish to reassure all travelers that South Africa remains open, welcoming, and committed to ensuring a safe and pleasurable journey for all who visit.”