EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
Police Flying Squad: 10 111
Ambulance: 10 177
NMBM Donkin Visitor Information Centre: +27 (0) 41 585 8884
SAFETY TIPS:
Although Nelson Mandela Bay is rated as a safe holiday destination, tourists should take the sensible precautions they would in any other major city of the world. If in need though, the municipality can provide all the necessary assistance available to be found in any first world country.
Emergency services such as auto repairs, sea rescue, ambulances, police and hospitals are at your service 24 hours per day. Highly qualified and professional people will be able to look after your specific needs.
Most highways provide SOS phones at specific distances right next to the road – these phones are clearly marked and could be used, free of charge, for any emergency while you are on the road.
All public phone booths display a listing of emergency numbers while all cell phones have specific emergency numbers that can be dialed 24 hours per day – these numbers will be provided to you when hiring a phone.
There are also national emergency numbers available, 24 hours per day, for people who might need information and assistance on, for instance, aids, child abuse, rape or suicide related incidents.
The people from Nelson Mandela Bay hope you will enjoy your stay and would advise you to take the following safety precautions while on visit here or anywhere else in the world:
- Do not use ATM with the assistance of anyone that you do not know.
- Do not fall for the parking ticket/permit scams at the beachfront and other tourist attractions. There is no permit or fee for parking.
- Never leave luggage unattended.
- Do not stroll around the streets alone after dark.
- Always lock your car when driving around.
- If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice.
- Avoid, where possible, carrying large sums of cash and other valuables around, e.g. cameras, video cameras, etc.
- Take special precautions in secluded areas (including parks & gardens, nature reserves and walks/trails), especially at dusk and after dark.
- Street children and beggars may approach one for a handout – social workers counsel against giving money.
- At night, park in a secure, well lit area.
- Do not leave valuable belongings in your car, rather lock everything in the boot where they are not visible.
Tourism Safety Initiative (TSI) is a tourism safety information portal and trade support programme. It is a private sector initiative and a vehicle through which we aim to address safety and security challenges. One of their objectives is to provide a national safety advisory and support service for tourists. See http://tourismsafety.co.za/ for more info.