International Relations Minister Lindiwe Sisulu is to raise her concerns about the Australian government travel advisory on South Africa to her counterpart in that country, Julie Bishop.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) says in a statement that it takes strong exception to the advisory which it says contains misleading information about South Africa in general and, in particular, about the experiences of foreign tourists visiting South Africa.
Australia’s smart traveller website lists violent crime as being on the increase in South Africa with murders, rape, muggings, robbery and other forms of theft described as a common occurrence.
DIRCO says the advisory has the potential to deter Australians from visiting South Africa and tarnish the country’s image.
It says officials have in the past unsuccessfully requested the advisory be amended to reflect the true situation in South Africa.
