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Baggage Theft Rampant in South Africa

Although they are only quoting one airline, baggage theft seems to be a very big problem across all airlines in the major airports like Tambo in South Africa. While you can't carry-on your bow, I try to put everything of significant value in my carry-on when I fly there. I would never check-in optics, cameras and the like (not to mention they are often not included in damage coverage offered by airlines when in your checked bags).

According to the attached article FlySafair is a South African low caliber airline that is experiencing the problem. I am wondering if the major airlines are experiencing the same issue? I did not experience this problem in Sept 2018, nor did I did hear any complaints from other hunters I was around experiencing this problem.

I know the year that RSA hosted the World Cup Soccer that baggage theft was a real issue and there was a black market theft ring running between Asia and RSA.

I also know that Tambo cleaned out a lot of the "rift raft" that was hanging around in the airport and pestering customers.

That airline was shutdown last year for several weeks due to safety issues. Stay with the big name carriers, keep your optics and electronics in your carry on, and use a travel agency. All these will help.

I spent a few hours with a PH from Africa this weekend and asked him about baggage theft issue. He said it is uncommon but highly recommended shrink wrapping luggage to deter any thief.

I've flown through Jo Berg four times, and have heard all the horror stories about baggage theft- they're true if you're foolish enough to have soft sided, zippered bags. To combat this, the first time I flew through Jo Berg, I first went to my neighborhood Salvation Army Thrift Store and bought the grungiest looking hard sided Samsonite suitcase for $8.00. I then went to Home Depot and bought a hasp set for $1.89 for two. I went home, ripped out the liner and ripped out the divider. I then drilled holes to accommodate the hasps and secured from the inside with sturdy bolts. I Crazy Glued the bolts so that they could not be loosened from the outside. No self respecting South African thief is going to even look once at this grungy suitcase to try to tamper with it. My third and fourth trips through Jo Berg I decided to just carry on my stuff in my Red Oxx bag, and I used camp rifles when I arrive at my destination in Namibia. I leave in May for my fifth trip to Namibia, and will go the Red Oxx carry on route again.

This is another in a long line of half truths. Nearly 40 trips thru Johannesburg and never, ever any theft or issues and in 25 years of business never had anything stolen or tampered with in any client’s luggage.

Check your bows through in a SKB hard case, there is no option on that. Toss one set of hunting clothes, shirt, undies and pants in with your bows. Take another set of hunting clothes, sandals for evenings at the fire, cell phone, binocs, rangefinder, shave kit, and camera in a small carry on. Wear jeans, shirt, light jacket, and hunt boots on the plane. Done it three times, zero issues.

Its not just the airport.... RSA is full of crime and murder. Life is very cheap there. Eyes wide open when you go.

I’ve been three times. May go again. All three times i wenton safari, I hired a service that met me as I got off the plane. They assisted me in getting baggage (bows), got me through customs very fast. Then they got me to the hotel in the airport, on one trip and to the van that took me to a place for the evening the other two trips. I think it’s money well spent for safety and to cut through the BS in getting through the airport. The firm I used was called Air 2000. Believe it cost $175 or so. If two or more are traveling together the cost is less per person.

I must be part of the one-half of the half-truth. I've been to Africa four times, but only South Africa once, and that was the only time my luggage was pilfered. I put most of my valuables in my carry-on, but at some point, something had to go in my checked baggage. I had my luggage "secured" with TSA approved locks, but it doesn't take much to break them. I had quite a lot stolen and it sucked. I spent a few hours reporting and documenting the theft (including airline police), and when I got state side, I wrote British Air a letter (although it was a SA airline that the theft happened, I learned that it's the airline of origin that's responsible). To British Air's credit, that sent me a check that fully covered my stolen items.

We didn't have trouble with baggage being stolen. However, they lost my bowcase for 3 days of a 10 day trip, so that sucked! We had also booked a couple days in Port Elizabeth to relax and had our hotel room broken into while we were out to dinner ~2 hours. Nice hotel recommended by our PH. It was an inside job, for sure. When we got back there was a lot of electronics, sunglasses, etc.. that were missing. My wifes "super camera" took up all the space in the room safe and just had stuff like Ipads, sunglasses, video camera (with hunting footage on it) and various random things laying about the room. The only way in was from a tiny little window in the bathroom that someone likely dropped a small child from the roof and down through the window. I was very dissatisfied with how the hotel handled the entire situation. After all was said and done, they discounted the room for that one evening instead of an apology and paying for the ~$5k worth of stuff. Insurance did cover about 1/2 the cost. Be careful down there--even the "best" of hotels have some pretty shady characters. Stay away from Port Elizabeth Hotel Group--specifically, the Beach Hotel! Rant Over...kr

A friend has his bow and all stolen.

I’m willing to bet the majority of the issues listed here happened while traveling through Europe. Of course things happen in Joberg as in any large city. I think it’s worse traveling through. LaGiardia, JFK, LA, or Detroit.

Anytime Americans travel abroad they generally become automatic targets for scams and theft. I use the same precautions when in Europe as I do in Africa.

I have never had any problems. I use a Tuffpak and a Terra glide.

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