FAO those of you coming to the World Cup

[KZNSeagull]

Dont wish to be alarmist as it should not be a huge problem, but I wanted to give those of you coming over here a heads up on this:

Please be aware that a large number of very good counterfeit R200 notes have just gone into circulation. They have been printed in Lesotho apparently so are rife in KZN at the moment, but by the time the World Cup starts they may have circulated around the country a bit more.

In a typical knee-jerk reaction, some establishments are refusing to accept R200 notes at all at the moment. So my advice would be when ordering currency, ask for R100 notes instead if you can and if anyone asks you to change a R200 note when you are here, politely decline.

http://www.witness.co.za/index.php?showcontent&global[_id]=40253

 

[KZNSeagull]

Thought I had better bounce this as the problem is obviously worse than first thought.

There is some confusion, but essentially all old style R200 notes issued before 2005 are being withdrawn because of the high instances of fakes. After the end of this month, the only place to change them will be the Reserve Bank in South Africa. The problem is that no-one really knows which are the old ones and which are the new ones!! So hardly anyone is accepting R200 notes now!!

So if you have already got any or get any when you get your currency, get them changed ASAP as you may end up with +- 20 quids worth of Rands that you cannot use!!

 

[Wozza]

Yeah, important to have non-counterfeit money when you get MUGGED.

 

[KZNSeagull]

Yeah, important to have non-counterfeit money when you get MUGGED.

Just trying to help those who are coming over here. I'm sure you will be reasonably safe in front of the telly

 

[Questions]

Just trying to help those who are coming over here. I'm sure you will be reasonably safe in front of the telly

I want one of those black South African monopoly boards where every square says ''Go to Jail''

 

[galebs]

Thanks for the advice KZN
Just checked the Rand i already have and it's all 50's or smaller .
I decided to use one of the preloaded cash cards instead of takeing lots of cash . Seems to be the advice most people are handing out , what do you think ?
I am flying out to Joberg on the 10th and i can hardly wait any extra advice you can think of ?

 

[Arthur]

Dont wish to be alarmist as it should not be a huge problem, but I wanted to give those of you coming over here a heads up on this:

Please be aware that a large number of very good counterfeit R200 notes have just gone into circulation. They have been printed in Lesotho apparently so are rife in KZN at the moment, but by the time the World Cup starts they may have circulated around the country a bit more.

In a typical knee-jerk reaction, some establishments are refusing to accept R200 notes at all at the moment. So my advice would be when ordering currency, ask for R100 notes instead if you can and if anyone asks you to change a R200 note when you are here, politely decline.

http://www.witness.co.za/index.php?showcontent&global[_id]=40253

Cheers fella!

Quick question we were told that customs may get a little bit funny if you try and bring in more than 5000 Rand in cash. Any truth to this?

 

[KZNSeagull]

Cheers fella!

Quick question we were told that customs may get a little bit funny if you try and bring in more than 5000 Rand in cash. Any truth to this?

Yes. You cannot bring in or take out more than R5000 in cash. As with all things in Africa, I am sure if they catch you a quick papery handshake, if you get my drift, will see you OK!!

 

[KZNSeagull]

Thanks for the advice KZN
Just checked the Rand i already have and it's all 50's or smaller .
I decided to use one of the preloaded cash cards instead of takeing lots of cash . Seems to be the advice most people are handing out , what do you think ?
I am flying out to Joberg on the 10th and i can hardly wait any extra advice you can think of ?

Would seem sensible to carry a card rather. Just be vigilant at ATM's. If lots of people hanging around, find a supermarket or shop that has a mini ATM inside it rather (most Spar's usually have one).

Up until very recently, you could only buy petrol with cash. Some garages have started accepting Credit Cards, but not all of them. So if you are driving, you will need some cash on you.

Other than that, unless there is anything specific, just have a good time!!

 

[Gully]

Be very careful who you give out your credit card details to, which I know may sound like stating the bleeding obvious, you can't be sure what they will do with them.

I went to South Africa last year and put in a claim at the airport for a refund of tax on items I had bought, this meant giving my credit card details to the Government tax office so the amount could be refunded later, it was going to take a couple of weeks to process the claim. Imagine my surprise when I later discovered that someone in the tax office was using peoples credit card details illegally, in my case the amount of fraud amounted to nearly £4k. Fortunately my bank were really good about it, I reported the matter as soon as it was discovered, they investigated it and refunded me the whole amount.

I am not sure how often this sort of thing happens, maybe I was just unlucky, but it is worth bearing in mind when you travel...I won't bother trying to reclaim tax again!

Have a great time in South Africa, it is a wonderful country.

 

[readingstockport]

Would seem sensible to carry a card rather. Just be vigilant at ATM's. If lots of people hanging around, find a supermarket or shop that has a mini ATM inside it rather (most Spar's usually have one).

Up until very recently, you could only buy petrol with cash. Some garages have started accepting Credit Cards, but not all of them. So if you are driving, you will need some cash on you.

Other than that, unless there is anything specific, just have a good time!!

if you are driving you MUST carry ID and your driving licence. I recently got stopped and was asked to pay a 1250 zar on the spot fine. Didn't have it so after some 10 minutes or so of the cop 'wondering' what to do he asked me to buy him his lunch whcih I happily did for 200 zar.

 

[KZNSeagull]

if you are driving you MUST carry ID and your driving licence. I recently got stopped and was asked to pay a 1250 zar on the spot fine. Didn't have it so after some 10 minutes or so of the cop 'wondering' what to do he asked me to buy him his lunch whcih I happily did for 200 zar.

Indeed you must.

But there is no such thing as an on the spot fine. They should give you a ticket which you must pay within a certain time frame. If they ask you to pay a fine, they are really asking for a bribe.

 

[Ian Bairds Fist]

Thanks for the advice KZNSeagull, much appreciated.

 

[readingstockport]

Indeed you must.

But there is no such thing as an on the spot fine. They should give you a ticket which you must pay within a certain time frame. If they ask you to pay a fine, they are really asking for a bribe.

I was flying that afternoon and he didn't trust me for some reason

I think he thought I might not pay the fine.

 

[BlockDpete]

Thanks for the advice KZN,

I'm in SA from the 28th June for 3 weeks.

Might put this on Tripadvisor, if its not already been mentioned.

 

[Fred Oliver - Legend]

sounds well dodgy!! better off staying here and watching it down the pub.

 

[Whitterz]

Dont wear watches or jewellery, keep your phones and any personal belongings of high value out of view. And if ypu are driving, lock the doors.

 

[Easy 10]

It really does sound like a country where you have to be constantly on your guard about everything. I get the impression that most people there are just waiting to rip you off.

I'm sure its a great place to visit, but I'd get fed up with having to be so damn CAREFUL about everything all the time.

 

[Dandyman]

Dont wear watches or jewellery, keep your phones and any personal belongings of high value out of view. And if ypu are driving, lock the doors.

Sounds a bit like Croydon.

 

[nail-Z]

It really does sound like a country where you have to be constantly on your guard about everything. I get the impression that most people there are just waiting to rip you off.

I'm sure its a great place to visit, but I'd get fed up with having to be so damn CAREFUL about everything all the time.

I've spent some time in Jo'burg - that's exactly how it is.