Consular Notice

Closure of U.S. Government Facilities in South Africa

All United States government facilities in South Africa closed to the public on Tuesday, September 22, and will also be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, September 23 and 24.  The U.S. Embassy in Pretoria will provide updates, as appropriate, on its web site, http://southafrica.usembassy.gov/. 

Given the close proximity of South Africa and Botswana and frequent cross border traffic, the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone would like to remind U.S. citizens to be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times.  U.S. citizens travelling to South Africa are advised to be extra vigilant while in the vicinity of U.S. government facilities in South Africa.  U.S. government facilities in South Africa will remain closed Thursday, September 24, in observance of Heritage Day, a South African national holiday. 

We encourage U.S. citizens to review the Department's Worldwide Caution, dated July 29, 2009, and to report any suspicious activity to the appropriate Embassy/Consulate switchboard (see contact information below). 

 Additional tips and guidance on security are available in our regular consular section newsletters.  (For copies, please contact the consular section at the U.S. Embassy in Gaborone by fax [318-0232] or email [ConsularGaborone@state.gov].)   For emergency services outside regular business hours, please call the appropriate after-hours emergency number listed below.

 As the Department of State continues to develop information on potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its consular information program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov.  In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.

 All Americans in Botswana and South Africa are urged to register either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov.  Registering gives U.S. citizens access to updated information on travel and security within South Africa and makes it easier for the Embassy to contact citizens in case of emergency.  Please note the following contact information:

 Contact Information for U.S. Embassies and Consulates in Botswana and South Africa

 U.S. Embassy to the Republic of BotswanA

Embassy Drive
Government Enclave
Gaborone
Tel: 395-3982 (+267-395-3982)
Fax: 318-0232 (+267-318-0232)
Email: ConsularGaborone@state.gov

After-hours emergencies: 395-7111 (+267-395-7111)
Local Botswana Emergency Contact Numbers:
Police:     999
Fire:        998
Ambulance: 997

 U.S. Embassy to the Republic of South Africa
877 Pretorius Street
Arcadia, Pretoria
Tel 012 431-4000 (+27 12-431-4000)
Fax 012 431-5504 (+27 12-431-5504)
http://usembassy.state.gov/pretoria/.  
After-hours emergencies: 079-111-1684 (outside South Africa: +27 79-111-1684).

 U.S. Consulate General, Johannesburg

(Covering Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, and Free State provinces)
1 Sandton Drive (cnr. of Rivonia)
Sandhurst, Johannesburg
Tel: 011-290-3000 (outside South Africa: +27 11-290-3000)
After-hours emergencies: 079-111-1684 (outside South Africa: +27 79-111-1684).

U.S. Consulate General, Cape Town

(Covering Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape provinces)
2 Reddam Avenue
Westlake, Cape Town
Tel: 021-702-7300 (outside South Africa: +27 702-7300
After hours emergencies: 079-111-0391 (outside South Africa: +27 79-111-0391)

U.S. Consulate General, Durban

(Covering KwaZulu-Natal Province)
Old Mutual Building, 31st floor
303 West Street
Tel 031 305-7600 (+27 31-305-7600)
After hours emergencies: 079-111-1445 (outside South Africa: +27 079-111-1445).