Not all soulmates are made equal
Durban, another South African city, finds itself in the number two spot. The city has become a hotbed for crime, such as smash and grabs. As the second most dangerous city in Africa, it has earned itself a Crime Index score of 80.9.
Riots, looting, rape, murder, theft, house break-ins, kidnappings, and drug-related violence take center stage in Durban. While some parts are relatively safe for tourists, the majority of Durban should be avoided.
Johannesburg once attracted visitors from all over the world. Now, with a Crime Index score of 80.7, its own residents are leaving in droves.
Landing the number one spot of Africa's most dangerous cities is Pretoria, with a Crime Index score of 81.8.
The city has seen an 85.82% increase in crime rates over recent years. In Pretoria, people worry about their homes being broken into and their belongings being stolen. Crimes that have plagued the city include muggings, car theft, assaults, and vandalism. Corruption is also rife in Pretoria. For instance, in 2022, Pretoria’s chief magistrate was charged with corruption.
Sources: (Statista) (populationU) (Tuko News) (peakng.com) (WorldAtlas)
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Johannesburg is overrun by criminality. House break-ins, petty crime, carjackings, and rape are all common crimes in what was once South Africa's most prominent city. The center of Johannesburg, Hillbrow, has become a haven for criminals, who go as far as hijacking entire buildings.
Cape Town, commonly known for its unbelievable beauty, is a city of complete contrasts. As the first of five South African cities that make up the top five most dangerous cities in Africa, Cape Town has a Crime Index score of 73.7.
Corruption, vandalism, theft, carjackings, kidnappings, drug-related violence, gang conflict, and violent crime run rife in this coastal city.
With a Crime Index score of 76.5, Port Elizabeth in South Africa's Eastern Cape province lands itself on this list of Africa's most dangerous cities.
A city plagued by terrorism and politically motivated violence, Mogadishu has a Crime Index score of 72.61.
Lagos, a city of constant threat, ranks number eight, with a Crime Index score of 67.7. Safety challenges persist in this bustling metropolis.
Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, with a Crime Index score of 68.5, has seen a surge in crime rates in the last few years, with the Windhoek police receiving an alarming average of at least seven robbery cases per day between June and August 2022.
Zimbabwe's historic capital, Harare, with a Crime Index score of 60.6, has landed itself on the list of Africa's most dangerous cities, thanks to its constant threat of street crimes.
Armed robbery, particularly targeting tourists, stands out as the most significant violent crime in Windhoek. The city also struggles with various other offenses, including theft, carjacking, pickpocketing, and purse snatching.
Petty crime plagues the city, with "smash and grabs" being the most common crime (i.e. breaking car or property windows and grabbing what one can, quickly). Gangs and thieves roam the streets at night, making it incredibly unsafe for residents, especially if they are alone.
Multiple governments have advised their citizens against all forms of travel to Somalia, given the intense threat of terrorism that exists there.
With a Crime Index score of 49.9, Cairo, Egypt, faces a challenging security landscape. While Cairo's appeal lies in its blend of ancient wonders and modern city life, its security concerns are evident.
Nairobi faces not only street crimes like theft and scams, but also the persistent threat of terrorism. Extremist groups maintain a keen interest in targeting foreigners and major population centers. These attacks can occur suddenly and without warning.
In stark contrast to its beautiful coast, Dar es Salaam, with a Crime Index score of 57.53, has an ugly problem with safety and security.
The high crime rate comes from the risk of violent crime, carjackings, home invasions, and armed robbery. Dar es Salaam has unfortunately earned its place on the list of Africa's most unsafe cities.
Cairo has experienced sporadic incidents of violence and even terrorism, with tourist destinations like the Pyramids of Giza being targeted.
With a Crime Index score of 55.1, the famous city of Casablanca finds itself on the list of Africa's most dangerous cities.
The capital city of Algeria, Algiers has a Crime Index score of 51.7, which reflects the danger in the area, largely influenced by the looming threat of terrorism.
These frequent protests and demonstrations have contributed to its reputation as a dangerous city, as they often turn violent. Tunis has also had a problem with the trafficking of both arms and drugs.
Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, ranks among the most dangerous cities in Africa, with a Crime Index score of 47.9. This North African country has faced security challenges linked to regional instability, resulting in protests and civil unrest.
Muggings, violent crime, and petty theft have transformed this once great city into one of Africa's most dangerous. Economic hardships have pushed many citizens of Casablanca to resort to criminality to survive.
Cracking the top 10 is the world-renowned city of Nairobi, Kenya. With a Crime Index score of 59.1, Nairobi has serious safety concerns to address.
Acts of politically motivated violence, such as terrorist bombings and armed assaults on security personnel and civilians, have the potential to unfold across Nigeria.
Extremely high levels of gang- and drug-related violence have previously seen Cape Town rank number one when it comes to number of homicides per year in Africa. High levels of street crime, including theft and scams, also haunt this beautiful city.
The beautiful continent of Africa: incredible beaches, amazing wildlife, and unbelievable history. Africa is on many travelers' bucket lists, however, the continent does struggle with the growing issue of crime. From the constant threat of terrorism to the presence of thieves and gangs, there is a lot to be cautious of.
This gallery ranks the 15 most dangerous cities in Africa according to their Crime Index score. The score is determined by giving different types of crimes numerical values, considering how serious they are, and then adding up these scores to give an overall measure of how safe or risky an area is in terms of crime.
Intrigued? Swipe through to discover the most dangerous cities in Africa.
Although counterterrorism efforts have been intensified by the Algerian government, terrorists still operate, targeting security forces, local government institutions, and Western interests.
The most dangerous cities in Africa
These cities are only for the brave!
LIFESTYLE Crime
The beautiful continent of Africa: incredible beaches, amazing wildlife, and unbelievable history. Africa is on many travelers' bucket lists, however, the continent does struggle with the growing issue of crime. From the constant threat of terrorism to the presence of thieves and gangs, there is a lot to be cautious of.
This gallery ranks the 15 most dangerous cities in Africa according to their Crime Index score. The score is determined by giving different types of crimes numerical values, considering how serious they are, and then adding up these scores to give an overall measure of how safe or risky an area is in terms of crime.
Intrigued? Swipe through to discover the most dangerous cities in Africa.