Foreigner Safe — find safe transport, shelters and help for foreigners in South Africa

Foreigner Safe is a free, anonymous, mobile-first community map that helps foreign nationals in South Africa, and South Africans abroad, find each other, share transport to land borders and airports, locate shelters and safe places, avoid high-risk areas, post messages and replies on each trip, and reach verified free helplines. Find rides to Beitbridge (Zimbabwe), Maputo (Mozambique), Botswana and Lesotho borders, and to OR Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka and other airports. Get free help from the UNHCR helpline 0800 100 030, the police on 10111, and Lawyers for Human Rights.

Where to donate

Donate to reputable organisations helping migrants and disaster-affected communities in South Africa, including Gift of the Givers, UNHCR, the Scalabrini Centre and Lawyers for Human Rights.

Foreigner Safe

Travel together · Find shelter · Stay safe

Nearby

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Post to the map

shieldShare only what you must. Use a first name or nickname. Posts are public — never include ID numbers, home addresses, or money/bank details.
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Adding a number lets people reach you. Leave blank to stay anonymous — people can still message you here.
Drop a pin where this applies (your area, a danger spot, a pickup point).
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Move the map so the pin sits on the right place

Safety & help

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In immediate danger? Call the police on 10111 (or 112 from any mobile, free). Move to a public, lit place, a police station, or a shelter marked on the map.

support_agent Free, verified helplines

callUNHCR Refugee HelplineToll-free · Mon–Thu 9–4, Fri 9–1 · free0800 100 030 local_policePolice (SAPS) emergencyor dial 112 free from any mobile10111 reportReport corruption / extortionif officials demand money for documents0800 701 701

gavel Free legal help — Lawyers for Human Rights

balancePretoriaRefugee & Migrant Rights clinic012 320 2943 balanceJohannesburg011 339 1960 balanceDurban031 301 0531 balanceCape Town021 424 8561 balanceMusinanear the Zimbabwe border015 534 2203

forum Talking safely to people you don't know

chat Keep messages on this site first. Only move to phone or WhatsApp once you feel comfortable.
no_accounts Never share your ID/passport number, home address, bank details, or a photo of your documents.
payments Never pay anyone upfront for a "seat" or "safe passage". Real help is free. Paying first is the most common scam.
videocam Ask for a quick voice or video call before you travel, so you can see and hear who you're meeting.
groups Travel and meet in a group where you can. There is safety in numbers.

verified_user Verifying a driver or contact

fact_check Cross-check their details — does the route, vehicle and timing add up across their post and messages?
screenshot Screenshot their post, name, number and number plate, and send it to someone you trust before you go.
person_check Ask people in your community if they know the driver. Trusted word of mouth is the best check.
share_location Share your live location with a friend or family member for the whole trip.

handshake Safe places to meet

Meet first in busy, public, watched places — never a private home or a quiet spot at night:

local_police Outside a police station.
storefront A big shopping mall or supermarket entrance — security guards and cameras.
local_gas_station A busy, well-lit petrol/filling station.
church A place of worship, clinic, or a registered NGO office.
commute Inside a major bus station or taxi rank during the day — public and full of people.
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Important — please read. Foreigner Safe is a free community noticeboard, not a transport, security or emergency service, and is not affiliated with any government or NGO. We do not check, vet or verify any user, post, driver, vehicle or message. You use this site and meet other people entirely at your own risk. To the fullest extent allowed by law, the creators and operators of Foreigner Safe accept no liability for any loss, injury, harm or damage arising from using the site or acting on anything posted here. Always verify people, take the precautions above, and trust your instincts.

Donate & get aid

Want to help, or need aid like food, shelter or legal support? These are established, reputable organisations working with migrants and vulnerable communities in South Africa. Tap to call or visit their official site.

verified
Avoid scams. Reputable charities never phone, text or visit door-to-door asking for payment, and never charge fees. Only ever donate through an organisation's own official website or published details — never via a number a stranger sends you.

handshake Welcome — and please read

A free, anonymous space to share rides, find shelters and safe places, avoid danger, and reach help. By tapping I understand you accept that this is a community noticeboard only — no user is verified, you use it at your own risk, and the creators accept no liability. Always verify people and take precautions (see Safety).

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