This page brings together the resources you will use most in South Africa: the Chinese embassy and consulates, official South African government websites and the numbers to call in an emergency. Save the emergency numbers below in your phone.
Resource pages
- Chinese embassy and consulates: addresses, consular districts, document services and consular protection numbers for the Embassy and the Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban consulates.
- Official websites and useful links: Home Affairs (DHA), SARS, CIPC, the Reserve Bank and other official sites.
For visas, tax and company registration, always rely on the official website, not on paid “agents” on social media. All our guides list their sources and the date we last checked them.
Emergency numbers (as of October 2026)
| What for | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Police (SAPS) | 10111 | Nationwide |
| Ambulance (public) | 10177 | Private ambulance services have their own numbers |
| Emergency from a mobile | 112 | Works on all major networks |
| Chinese Embassy consular protection (24h) | +27 10 492 5583 | Gauteng north of Midrand and other areas |
| Johannesburg Consulate-General (24h) | +27 10 498 6234 | Gauteng south of Midrand, Free State |
| Cape Town Consulate-General | +27 21 674 7668 | Western, Eastern and Northern Cape |
| Durban Consulate-General (24h) | +27 76 174 2938 | KwaZulu-Natal |
| China MFA global consular hotline | +86 10 12308 or +86 10 6561 2308 | 24 hours, in Chinese |
| Problem gambling counselling (free) | 0800 006 008 | 24 hours; see responsible gambling |
For what to do after you call (and how to get a case number), see emergency numbers and what to do and our safety guide.
FAQ
Who should I call first after a robbery?
Get to safety first, then call the police on 10111 (or 112 from a mobile). If you need consular help, contact the Chinese mission that covers your area.
Can the consular protection line help with passports?
No. It is for emergencies. For document questions, use the document enquiry phone number or email published by each mission.
How do I call 12308 from South Africa?
Dial +86 10 12308, or the backup number +86 10 6561 2308.
Sources
- Western Cape Government – Know who you can call in an emergency
- 中华人民共和国驻南非共和国大使馆 / Embassy of the PRC in South Africa
- 驻南非使馆提醒中国公民加强安全防范（2026-10-10）
- 中华人民共和国驻约翰内斯堡总领事馆
- 中华人民共和国驻开普敦总领事馆
- 中华人民共和国驻德班总领事馆
- South African Responsible Gambling Foundation (SARGF) / NRGP
