10 Most Dangerous Suburbs to Buy Property in South Africa
Buying property in South Africa can feel exciting, but not every bargain is a blessing. Some suburbs are cheap for a reason — high crime, hijacked buildings, and unstable communities can turn what looks like a “deal” into a financial nightmare.
This blog breaks down the Top 10 most dangerous suburbs to buy property in South Africa, backed by real incidents, and puts them into global context so you can see how risky some of these areas really are.
Table of Contents
Berea, Johannesburg
Durban CBD, KwaZulu-Natal
Sunnyside, Pretoria
Yeoville, Johannesburg
Hillbrow, Johannesburg
Albert Park, Durban
Mitchells Plain, Cape Town
Khayelitsha, Cape Town
Alexandra, Johannesburg
Cape Flats, Cape Town
Global Context
Conclusion
Berea, Johannesburg
Once home to Ponte Tower — a luxury address in the ’70s — Berea has been plagued by gang activity and hijacked buildings. In 2023, police reclaimed parts of the suburb, but values barely improved.
You can buy an apartment here for under 300,000 rands, but you may spend years dealing with legal battles and hijackers.
Durban CBD, KwaZulu-Natal
Bustling by day with markets and tourists, but at night, armed robbery and muggings are common. The UK has even issued official travel advisories. Cheap properties are available, but good tenants are scarce.
Sunnyside, Pretoria
Popular with students, but break-ins and security issues are constant. In March 2024, one block was broken into three times in one week. Property managers here struggle to keep rentals occupied.
Yeoville, Johannesburg
A cultural hub in the past, Yeoville now suffers from crime and rental instability. Many landlords report unpaid rent and empty units despite low purchase prices.
Hillbrow, Johannesburg
Infamous worldwide, Hillbrow continues to struggle. In November 2024, a man was stabbed in broad daylight near Park Station. By March 2025, police drug raids uncovered suspects hiding in ceilings. You can buy for 200,000 rands, but stress levels will be sky-high.
Albert Park, Durban
Known for vandalism and theft, a 2024 survey found over 60% of units damaged by forced entry. Security and maintenance costs make returns nearly impossible.
Mitchells Plain, Cape Town
Areas like Rocklands face daily gang-related shootings. Some streets are considered “unsellable.” Despite being cheap, safety risks overshadow any investment potential.
Khayelitsha, Cape Town
Despite community-driven efforts, crime remains high. Property values stagnate, and rental yields are unstable.
Alexandra, Johannesburg
Right next to Sandton’s luxury skyscrapers, but plagued with gang activity, armed robberies, and failing infrastructure. Developers have abandoned projects mid-construction due to safety concerns.
Cape Flats, Cape Town
Including Hillview and Rocklands — gang violence dominates headlines. In 2024, one weekend saw 14 people shot, three fatally. Buying here is a gamble with both safety and money.
Global Context
South Africa’s risks are not isolated. Globally, our cities rank among the most dangerous in the world:
Pietermaritzburg (#1 in Africa, Crime Index 82.7)
Pretoria (#2, Crime Index 81.8)
Johannesburg (#5, Crime Index 80.8)
Durban (#6, Crime Index 80.4)
That’s worse than many Latin American cartel-controlled areas.
Conclusion
A low property price doesn’t always mean a good investment. In fact, in high-risk suburbs, it can mean endless security problems, tenant turnover, and sinking property values.
If you’re serious about building wealth through property, avoid these areas and instead look at safer suburbs with stable growth
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