Wayzata World Factbook 1994/World Factbook - 1994 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1994).iso/pc/text/txtfiles/south_af.tvl

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#CARD:South Africa:Travel\Consular Information
South Africa - Consular Information Sheet
April 1, 1994

Country Description:  Although South Africa is in many respects a developed
country, much of its population lives under third world conditions.  There
are adequate  facilities in all urban centers, game parks and areas most
commonly visited by tourists.

Entry Requirements:  While a valid passport is required, a visa is not
required for regular passport holders on bona fide holiday, business visits
or in transit.  Visas are, however, required for extended stays for
employment or study, diplomatic and official passport holders.  Evidence of
a yellow fever vaccination is necessary if arriving from an infected area.
For more information, the traveler may contact the Embassy of South Africa,
3201 New Mexico Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016, telephone (202) 966-
1650, or a South African Consulate in Beverly Hills, Chicago, or New York.

Areas of Instability:  The political situation in South Africa remains
unsettled as the country seeks to make the transition from apartheid to
nonracial democracy.  U.S. citizens are requested to exercise extreme
caution at political gatherings or demonstrations, since some political
demonstrations have resulted in clashes with security forces or between
political factions, resulting in casualties.

President de Klerk declared a state of emergency in Kwazulu/Natal on March
31.  Violence is most common in and around Johannesburg and in the provinces
of Natal and the Transvaal.  Incidents also occur in the Orange Free State
and the Cape Province.  Particularly dangerous are the volatile election-
related or youth demonstrations.  The intensity of demonstrations and riots
can be expected to increase and spread as the elections, scheduled for late
April 1994, draw closer.  Right wing extremists have also become a source of
violence, with bombings and other incidents.

Although foreigners have not yet been specifically targeted in these
attacks, some have become caught up in the general disturbance.  The areas
most frequented by tourists, such as game parks and beaches, are not, as
yet, affected.  Townships located in the vicinity of Durban, Johannesburg,
and Cape Town have been the scenes of violent riots and demonstrations, most
with little or no warning.  Blacks have been the principal victims of
township violence, but non-blacks are also being targeted.  The South
African government and transitional authorities are taking steps to control
the violence, but it is impossible to guarantee security for visiting
Americans.

Therefore, Americans who visit or who have duties or business in South
Africa should exercise extreme caution when traveling, and whenever
possible, avoid areas of unrest and political demonstrations.  Those
Americans who go to South Africa as international observers or who are
affiliated with non-governmental groups should follow very carefully the
guidance of the Independent Electoral Commission and of those officials in
South Africa who are responsible for security and election monitoring.  All
U.S. citizens are requested to contact the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S.
consulate for up-to-date information prior to traveling to any township.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities are good in urban areas and in the
vicinity of game parks and beaches but may be limited elsewhere.  Doctors
and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services, but
usually accept credit cards in addition to cash.  U.S. medical insurance is
not always valid outside the United States.  Supplemental medical insurance
with specific overseas coverage has proved to be useful.  Information on
health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's
international travelers hotline, telephone [phone].

Information on Crime:  There is continuing and significant street crime
affecting foreigners, including muggings, pickpocketing and random street
violence, particularly in urban areas such as Johannesburg.  The South
African police and the Automobile Association have warned motorists to avoid
the Transkei after a number of shooting incidents in which passengers in
vehicles were injured or killed.  Due to uncertainty in general, travelers
may check with the U.S. Consulates before embarking on trips to the eastern
Cape and the homelands.  The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should
be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or
consulate.  The pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to
Sub-Saharan Africa" provide useful information on protecting personal
security while traveling abroad and on travel in the region in general.
Both are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Travel to "Independent Homelands":  Neither the U.S. nor any other country,
except South Africa, recognize the so-called independent homelands of
Bophuthatswana, Venda, Ciskei and Transkei.  The United States faces special
difficulties in providing consular assistance in these areas.  Homeland
officials often fail to notify U.S. Embassy or consulate officials when
American citizens have been detained, and routinely deny or restrict access
by U.S. consular officials to U.S. citizens under arrest or otherwise in
distress.  Arriving or departing from a homeland area at night is
particularly risky.

Bophuthatswana:  The U.S. Embassy in Pretoria has restricted U.S. government
personnel from traveling to Bophuthatswana because political unrest and
civil strikes have resulted in clashes between civilians, government police
and soldiers.

Ciskei:  The  U.S. Consulate General in Cape Town has activated its warden
system informing U.S. citizens in the Ciskei area to be cautious, avoid
public demonstrations, and be aware of any changes in the current political
unrest following the March 23 resignation of Head of State Brigadier Oupa
Gqozo.

Kwazulu/Natal:  A state of emergency was declared for this area on March 31.
 The U.S. Consulate General in Durban has activated its warden system asking
U.S. citizens in the urban townships around Durban to keep the Consulate
General informed of any changes in the security situation in their
particular localities.  Americans have also been asked to be especially
cautious in these areas.

Other Information:  An increasing number of American sportsmen, musicians,
and other performers have found themselves without cash or resources due to
contractual difficulties with agents or promoters.  Performers and sports
personalities therefore try to ensure that all legal aspects of their
employment are settled before they arrive in South Africa.  Consular
officers can offer only limited assistance in contractual disputes.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in
which they are traveling.  Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in
illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences
and fines.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy or a U.S.
consulate can obtain updated information on travel and security in South
Africa.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located at 877 Pretorius Street in
Pretoria.  The telephone number is (27-12) 342-1048.  There are Consulates
General in Johannesburg located at Kine Center, 11th Floor, Commissioner and
Kruis Streets, telephone [phone]; in Cape Town at Broadway
Industries Center, Heerengracht, Foreshore, telephone [phone]; and
in Durban at Durban House, 29th Floor, 333 Smith Street, telephone (27-31)
304-4737.

Note:  The Johannesburg Consular District encompasses all of the Orange Free
State and the Transvaal.  The U.S. Embassy in Pretoria provides limited
consular services, while the U.S. Consulate in Johannesburg  provides most
of the consular services for American citizens in the Pretoria area.

No. 94-041

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated March 29, 1994 to add
information about the state of emergency in Kwazulu/Natal and areas of
instability.

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