Issued on May 27, the revised guidance highlights a vague but notable alert regarding the “risk of terrorist violence,” along with renewed emphasis on violent crime, especially in city centers at night. Travellers are also advised to avoid non-metropolitan driving after dark.

The update imposes tighter restrictions on U.S. diplomatic staff, who must now obtain prior approval to visit certain Cape Town townships—only during set hours and using armoured vehicles. These measures reflect a more cautious U.S. posture in the country.

Though the advisory level remains unchanged, the update comes amid strained U.S.–South Africa relations. Tensions were stoked by a controversial Oval Office meeting between former President Donald Trump and President Cyril Ramaphosa, during which Trump raised discredited claims of a targeted campaign against white farmers. Ramaphosa refuted the assertion, emphasising that crime in South Africa affects all racial groups, with Black South Africans disproportionately impacted.

https://trendsnafrica.com/south-africa-to-buy-lng-from-the-us/

Relations have further cooled following the U.S. asylum offer to Afrikaner minorities, cuts to American aid programs, and the expulsion of South Africa’s ambassador after his criticism of the Trump administration. While the advisory remains at Level 2, the expanded warnings and operational constraints signal a shift in U.S. engagement with South Africa, amid uncertain prospects for future diplomacy.