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The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, led by retired judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, investigates reports regarding alleged violations of the law and manipulation of the justice process by certain high-ranking police officials.
Currently, however, all the information is allegations and not a verdict from the court. Still, women in South Africa need to guard themselves in a place where the police force may not be fully trusted at all times.
Here’s our pick of the best personal safety devices for you.
Device #1: Personal Alarms For Getting Attention Fast
Imagine closing up after work late. Your car is blocks away from the office. As you walk to your car, you notice you’re being followed. There’s no one in sight as it’s past closing hours.
A personal alarm is worthwhile in this situation. When you pull the pin on your alarm, it makes a very loud sound like an airplane about to take off. Others produce bright lights to confuse anyone trying to follow you and draw the attention of others.
Alarms like this retail between R150 and R400.
Who can use it: Anyone. University students walking across the university grounds, women returning home from work late at night, and runners running early in the morning. Any individual who needs a cost-effective safety device requiring no skill to operate. It’s worth it if you frequently walk alone in areas with poor visibility or sound, such as parking lots or dark streets.
Little tip: Try using it with your eyes closed. Attach it to the outside of your bag or your keychain, so you can reach it on time.
The best substitute if you can’t get your hands on one: have your cell phone at the ready with a loud ringtone and flash on.
Device #2: Pepper Spray — Temporary Tool for Self-Defence
Pepper spray works by creating an instant burning effect on the attacker’s eyes and skin, accompanied by momentary blindness and difficulty in breathing. In most cases, this takes between several minutes and even half an hour, depending on the strength of the pepper spray.
Some sprays shoot in a straight stream, while others shoot in a spray form, although the latter is less precise in hitting its target. All sprays have a range of up to 3-5 meters. The price of one ranges from R100 to R350.
Is using pepper spray legal in South Africa? It is legal to purchase pepper spray, carry it around, and use it for self-defense. However, it is illegal to use it against anyone who is not a threat.
Pepper spray does not ship well internationally, as regulations differ from place to place. In the UK, having pepper spray is against the law, while in Canada, its use is regulated. If you’re flying from the US, you may have it in your checked baggage but not in your carry-on baggage. Moreover, not all airlines permit you to have it in your baggage at all.
The way out is to purchase your pepper spray upon arrival at pharmacies or sports stores.
Pro tip: replace your pepper spray after every one to two years. The chemicals in it become less effective with time, so an old one may not be as effective.
Device #3: GPS Tracking Devices
GPS trackers such as Apple AirTags and Samsung SmartTags are good for locating your lost keys, but you need another cell phone nearby to update your location, making them unsuitable in an emergency. It is suitable for solo travelers, hikers, and long-distance drivers. If you frequently visit places with poor signal coverage, this device helps with tracking and doesn’t drain your battery power.
Imagine a lone hiker in the Drakensberg Mountains, a woman driving at night between two cities, or anyone using ride-hailing services late in the evening.
Bluetooth tracking devices are priced at R500 to R700. While devices that have their own SIM cards range from R1,200 to R3,000, plus a monthly subscription of R50 to R150.
The best alternative if you don’t have the budget for it is your phone’s location-sharing feature, which works quite similarly for free.
Device #4: Your Phone — Probably Your Best Safety Tool Already
If you use an iPhone, pressing the side button five times consecutively can dial emergency services, sound an alarm, and text your location to people you trust. If you use an Android, check your safety settings. Social media apps like WhatsApp and Snapchat allow you to share your live location.
However, if you need something extra, the Namoola app is a great fit used by hundreds of thousands of people. Press the panic button and an operator will call you back. Your GPS location is then forwarded either to emergency services or, if you opt for the Premium Package at around R59 per month, to a private armed response service. It also enables you to set locations such as home or workplace, where selected individuals will be notified automatically when you come and go.
It is good for everyone who owns a smartphone, as it is the most affordable and quickest layer to put in place. In five minutes, you can activate Emergency SOS, Medical ID, and sharing location services before you need them.
It is not worth it if you depend solely on dialing out to emergency services without any back-up plan. Reaction times differ, which is precisely what apps such as Namola aim to address.
An alternative when you do not have money to pay for premium membership ranges from a free plan alongside manual sharing of location with another person.
Device #5: Flashlights
If you’re in a dark garage or caught in between loadshedding, having a flashlight does more than help you see.
A bright flashlight of 300 lumens or higher will temporarily dazzle and disorient your attacker if you aim it directly at him/her. Most flashlights have a strobe function that works alongside the dazzle effect and also serves to alert others to your situation. Get yourself a rechargeable one. You should be prepared to pay between R150 and R1,500.
It is best suited for night-shift employees, travelers, and people moving around in areas with poor lighting conditions. The advantage of this tool is that you can legally carry a flashlight wherever you go, even if it is a plane.
It is not a replacement for an alarm or pepper spray. A flashlight allows you to see and temporarily disorient someone. The best substitute if unavailable is the flashlight on your mobile phone.
Device #6: Wearables For When You Can’t Reach Your Phone
If you find yourself in a dangerous situation, reaching your phone might become difficult because you’re panic-stricken with anxiety.
The smart rings, safety bracelets, and smart watches work with your smartphone through Bluetooth. All you have to do is press a button on the device, and it will send out a signal of your location to whoever you wish to inform. You should know that none of these devices are able to function without being near your smartphone.
Approximate prices range between R400 and R2,500 for dedicated safety jewelry and R4,000 for smartwatches. It is suitable for women who want a discreet device, such as real estate agents who show houses to potential clients alone.
It will suit any person interested in an easy and fast way of calling for assistance, particularly those working night shifts.
Alternative if you cannot afford one: a personal alarm that you clip somewhere easily accessible, like on your zipper.
Device #7: Smart Safety Habits
If you’re not paying attention to your environment, the chances of a gadget helping you is minimal. A good safety plan includes:
The Check-In Rule: Inform one of your friends or relatives, “I am heading out. I will be back in 20 minutes.” If you do not text them within 20 minutes, they’ll understand that they need to call you or track your phone.
Ride-Hailing Check-In: Never ask a driver who their pickup is. Instead, ask, “What name do you have on your app?” Before opening the car door, make sure that the number plate of the car is the same as yours in the app.
Safe Code Words: Decide on some ordinary words with your relatives, which would mean that something is wrong with you. For instance, your code word could be “Did you remember to feed our cat?” If you use this word on a call, then your family members will know what is happening.
Personal Safety Isn’t About a Device
Buying a safety device is not enough to protect you from whatever harm you might face. You must be safe and environment-conscious. If, for example, you’re used to keeping your head buried in your phone or walking lonely routes, you’ll need to adjust those habits.
With the lapses in our institutions, such as those being investigated by the Madlanga Commission, we must consider our security.
While a single product will provide full safety, develop good safety habits; get some personal safety devices, and learn to use them correctly ahead of emergencies.
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