Robberies of Shuttle Buses Transporting Passengers from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport U.S. Consulate General, Johannesburg Security Message for U.S. Citizens April 17, 2013 The U.S. Mission to South Africa advises U.S. citizens to exercise special caution when arranging ground transportation from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to hotels, guest houses, and residences. In the past month, several U.S. citizens and other travelers were robbed at gun point while traveling in shuttle buses from OR Tambo International Airport to their place of lodging. In some instances, the robberies took place after the shuttle bus arrived at a hotel or guest house. In other instances, the shuttle bus was boxed in and stopped by two vehicles on the street. The U.S. Mission recommends travelers select shuttle or taxi service with care, use reputable companies recommended by major hotels or shuttles provided by hotels, and use only licensed taxis parked at marked taxi locations at the airport. Travelers should avoid changing money at the airport, and avoid displaying ostentatious jewelry, watches, or luggage while traveling. You can get Embassy updates by checking the website of the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria. You can also get global updates at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website where you can find the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well, or you can download our free Smart Traveler App, available through iTunes and the Android marketplace, to have travel information at your fingertips. If you don’t have internet access, current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States, or for callers from other countries, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). If you are going to live in or travel to South Africa, please take the time to tell us about your trip by enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program- STEP. If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up to date. It is important during enrollment or updating of information to include your current phone number and current email address where you can be reached in case of an emergency.

 

Taken from Security Association of South Africa