Wayzata World Factbook 1995/World Factbook - 1995 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1995).iso/mac/text/Build/tvlmactxt/SOUTH_AF.TVL

Text File | 1994-12-07 | 6KB | 114 lines

South Africa - Consular Information Sheet
October 24, 1994

Country Description:  Although South Africa is in many respects a developed
country, much of its population lives in poverty.  There are adequate
facilities in all urban centers, game parks and areas most commonly visited
by tourists.  Food and water are generally safe, and a wide variety of
consumer goods and pharmaceuticals are readily available.  Road conditions
are generally good.

Entry Requirements:  A passport valid for at least six months is required,
but a visa is not required for regular passport holders on bona fide
holiday, business visits or in transit.  Visas are required, however, for
extended stays, employment, study and for diplomatic and official passport
holders.  Evidence of a yellow fever vaccination is necessary if arriving
from an infected area.  For more information, travelers may contact the
Embassy of South Africa, 3201 New Mexico Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20016, telephone [phone], or the South African consulates in Beverly
Hills, Chicago, or New York.

Areas of Instability:  Political violence has significantly decreased in
most areas of South Africa since the establishment of a democratically
elected government in May 1994.  Throughout most of South Africa, the
political situation is stabilizing as the country continues its transition
to non-racial democracy.  Some public gatherings have turned into violent
clashes between political factions, which resulted in casualties.  The
highest incidence of violence occurs in the province of Kwazulu/Natal,
particularly the townships near Durban.

Although foreigners have not been specifically targeted in these attacks,
some have been caught up in general disturbances.  Some townships in the
vicinity of major cities, most notably Durban, Johannesburg, and Cape Town,
have been scenes of violent demonstrations and factional fighting.  The
areas most frequented by tourists, such as major hotels, game parks and
beaches, have not been, to date, affected by political or factional violence.

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 require immediate cash payment for health services, but
usually accept major 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 proven useful.
Information on health matters can be obtained from the Centers for Disease
Control's international travelers hotline, telephone [phone].

Information on Crime:  Non-political criminal activity, sometimes violent,
is reported on a routine basis by the local media.  Criminal activity is
present in the areas surrounding hotels, especially in major cities such as
Johannesburg and Durban.  Driving may be perilous, given the relatively high
rates of speed allowed on major thoroughfares.  The vast majority of U.S.
visitors, though, complete their travel in South Africa without incident.

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 the former "Independent Homelands":  Although the new constitution
provides for the reincorporation of the former Homelands of Bophuthatswana,
Ciskei, Transkei, and Venda into South Africa, at this time many local
institutions, notably police authorities, remain in place.  Since these
structures are not accustomed to responding to diplomatic and consular
representations, the U.S. government may still face some difficulties in
providing consular assistance in the former homelands.  Until homeland
structures are effectively incorporated into mainstream South African
administration, there are likely to be occasional strikes and unrest which
could affect Americans traveling in these areas.  The South African police
advise against travel to the former Homeland of Transkei, and urge caution
while traveling in Ciskei.  Travelers may contact U.S. consulates at Cape
Town or Durban before embarking on trips to the Eastern Cape or extreme
southern Natal, which have incorporated the territory formerly known as the
Homelands of Ciskei and Transkei.

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 residing in South Africa or planning extended
stays are encouraged to register at the nearest U.S. consulate.  Consulates
regularly distribute updated information on travel and security via warden
systems to registered American residents.

Embassy and Consulate Locations:

The U.S. Embassy is located at 877 Pretorius Street in Pretoria, telephone
(27-12) 342-1048.  Note:  The Embassy in Pretoria provides limited consular
services.  The U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg provides most consular
services for American citizens in the Pretoria area.

The U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg is located at Kine Center, 11th
Floor, 141 Commissioner Street (intersection with Kruis Street), telephone
(27-11) 331-1681.

The U.S. Consulate General in Cape Town is located at Broadway Industries
Center, Heerengracht, Foreshore, telephone [phone].  Its consular
jurisdiction includes Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape Provinces.

The U.S. Consulate General in Durban is located at Durban House, 29th Floor,
333 Smith Street, telephone [phone].  Its consular district is
Kwazulu/Natal Province.

No. 94-248

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated June 16, 1994, to revise
the paragraphs on Areas of Instability and Information on Crime, and to
delete the reference to the state of emergency in the Kwazulu/Natal region.