Cape Town is one of South Africa’s most popular tourist destinations but it is also one of the cities with the most crime. Common crimes which could possibly affect tourists includes petty theft, street beggars who might attempt to rob, pickpockets, criminals posing as police, ATM or credit card robberies, and apartment and/or tour guide scams.
The more dangerous crimes tend to affect locals instead of tourists so your chances of being assaulted or murdered are low. And despite its crime reputation, the city still sees millions of tourists visiting every year.
When you are travelling around the city, you will find that there is a high security presence, both in the city centre as well as in the suburbs, malls, and general tourist attractions. If you must go out at night, don’t let people hassle you or try to intimidate you. Bring your attitude and your street smarts out when you feel threatened.
One area that you should most certainly avoid while in the city is the Cape Flats. This area is known for its gang related crimes and it has all sorts of social problems. It is also the most dangerous part of the city, where most of the violent crimes are reported.