Tourists attacked in Cape Town due to incorrect information from Google Maps

By TravelWiseFeb 11, 2024 23:31 PMNews
Share:
Tourists attacked in Cape Town due to incorrect information from Google Maps
Service users suffered damage due to a wrong route. Source: Pixabay

Tourists from the United States of America have filed a lawsuit against Google over a horrific incident that occurred in Cape Town, South Africa. The travellers followed the route suggested by Google Maps but the tech giant ignored warnings from the US and South African authorities about possible danger in the area.

Newsmax reports that due to the service's mistake, a couple of travellers who were unaware of the potential danger were attacked. According to a lawsuit filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court, it is alleged that the service took them through the Nyanga district, known for violent attacks on tourists.

It is noted that Jason and Katherine Zoladz, residents of Los Angeles, travelled from their coastal Airbnb in Cape Town to the airport in October 2023 to reach the Central Kalahari Game Reserve using Google Maps navigation.

However, the service directed the couple through a dangerous route via the New Eisleben Road, which intersects with the infamous Hell's Highway, where they were attacked when they stopped at a red light. As a result, Jason's jaw was broken, forcing him to undergo surgery, and his wife Katherine suffered an emotional shock.

Even though Google Maps stopped offering this route to tourists three weeks after the incident, now the Zoladz family is demanding unspecified damages, claiming that the company's untimely response was too late for them.

Top Articles
Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Oct 16, 2025 16:22 PM
Smartphone with eSIM logo surrounded by travel essentials like flowers, map, camera, and sunglasses

Where to Buy eSIM at the Best Price: A Full Review of Tariffs and Options

Aug 8, 2025 10:54 AM

No More SIM Swaps: The eSIM Travel Solution You’ll Actually Use

Aug 4, 2025 16:51 PM

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
More News
Rail worker among station scaffolding

Huddersfield Station Faces 44 Days of Closures

Oct 7, 2026 20:27 PM
Ruby Lilou bar in Marseille

Ruby Lilou Opens Near Vieux-Port in Marseille

Oct 7, 2026 20:14 PM

Halloween Half-Term Flights from Manchester Start at £34 Return

Oct 7, 2026 20:01 PM

Jet2 Opens 2027 Bristol Christmas Market Bookings

Oct 7, 2026 19:59 PM
Traveller pulling a small cabin suitcase

EU Cabin Bag Rules Change in 2027 - but Not Every Bag Is Free

Oct 7, 2026 19:46 PM
Construction worker carrying out rail upgrade work

Liverpool Rail Works to Disrupt City Travel for 26 Days

Oct 7, 2026 19:33 PM
Strike message painted on a wall

Leeds Bradford Strike Puts October Flights at Risk

Oct 6, 2026 21:28 PM
Wizz Air aircraft in flight

Wizz Air Pushes Six Abu Dhabi Routes Back to January

Oct 5, 2026 23:35 PM
Greek flag beside rough sea in Crete

Crete Floods Force Hotel Evacuations as Recovery Begins

Oct 5, 2026 23:22 PM

Salzburg Adds Three Cultural Stops Beyond Mozart

Oct 4, 2026 23:47 PM

Oceania Highlights 17 Mediterranean Winter Cruises for 2027/28

Oct 4, 2026 23:34 PM
Tempo by Hilton Munich Airport Arena bar interior

Hilton Plans 199-Room Hotel Beside Munich’s New Arena

Oct 4, 2026 23:21 PM
Camel resting on a sandy beach

Bratislava Expands Africa Network to Five Countries

Oct 4, 2026 23:19 PM
Hikers walking along Turkey’s south-west coast

SunExpress Adds Direct Leipzig–Dalaman Flights

Oct 4, 2026 22:26 PM
Jet2holidays aircraft flying over snowy mountains

Jet2 Releases 82 Winter City Routes for 2027/28

Oct 4, 2026 21:53 PM

UK Moves to Scrap Family Seating and Name-Change Fees

Oct 4, 2026 21:48 PM

Flydubai Axe Attack Leaves Tel Aviv Route Suspended

Oct 4, 2026 21:35 PM
Person holding a vape and e-liquid bottle

New 50ml Vape Limit Could Catch Travellers Out

Oct 3, 2026 22:52 PM
Brown dog resting on a pebble beach

UK Beaches Reopen to Dogs After Summer Bans

Oct 3, 2026 22:47 PM
Helsinki waterfront with cathedral and Ferris wheel

Helsinki Lands a New Daily Dubai Connection

Oct 2, 2026 23:24 PM
Palm-lined beach on Kenya’s Indian Ocean coast

Bratislava Gets First Direct Charter to Kenya

Oct 2, 2026 23:11 PM
Deer crossing a forest road

Deer Crash Risk Peaks on UK Roads This Autumn

Oct 1, 2026 22:29 PM

SNCF Opens Christmas Bookings for France and Europe

Oct 1, 2026 22:16 PM

Air Serbia Adds New Route to Seville

Sep 30, 2026 23:13 PM
East Midlands Railway trains at a station

More London Trains Return as EMR Restores Key Services

Sep 30, 2026 23:08 PM
Eurowings Airbus A320neo taxiing at an airport

Eurowings Opens New Winter Routes to Lapland, Italy and the Middle East

Sep 30, 2026 22:55 PM