by Terry Leonard(associated press)

Watch your back in South Africa.They kill folks here.Murder them at an alarming rate. Robbers kill their victims,bystanders kill criminals,family members kill each other. Gunbattles erupt on streets and in shoppingmalls.Passersby whip out pistols and join in firefigths between criminals and police or security guards.

A recent flurry in high profile bloodshed even police suggesting they are losing the fight with violent crime.

Plans for South Africa to host soccer's next WorldCup in 2010,has focused international attention on the crime rate,with organizers having to answer whether the 350.000 foreign visitors expected for the month long tournament ,will be safe.

Statiscally a South African is 12 times as likely to be murdered than the Average American.The chances of being killed here are 50 times greater than in Europe.

The last statistics available showed that between April 2004 and March 2005....18.793 people were murdered in South Africa,an average of 51 per day in a nation of 47.000.000 (of which 5.000.000 are illegals). There were 24.516 attempted murders 55.114 reported rapes and 249.369 assaults with grievous injuries.

These figures are higher than the 1990s when crime was at its peak.

The minister for safety and security,Charles Nqkakula,suggested that people(whites) who complain about crime should leave the country.

I have been attacked-car jacked- ones,with desastrous results for the attacker.

It is quite an experience.Before I drove off I could not resist saying:"Eat your heart out punk"

Did I phone the police.???????? Noway.

One becomes so blasé here,that death is just another part of living.

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With regard to HIV/AIDS te picture is even worse 5.200.000 are suffering from this disease and it is becoming worse,so bad that rural africans resort to raping babies.

Their believe is that it cures them from HIV/AIDS,but this will be another Hub.

Should I leave??????????

NO.

I am of the opinion that the great equalizer will be sorting this mess out.

I have got a specialised small Safari company and thank goodness very safe for the reported crimes.My company is not good for a large group.

If some of you decide to travel South Africa in a large group,travel with a bonafide one.