Due to growing security concerns, users of Google Maps and Waze will no longer be guided through Cape Town’s Nyanga township and surrounding regions. This was revealed on Monday by Alistair Mokoena, the company’s South Africa chief.
The navigation programme led him via the township as the quickest route from Cape Town International Airport to the city, which is how a US tourist was shot in the face and robbed last week in Nyanga.
In September, taxi operators in the same area fatally shot 40-year-old British surgeon Kar Hao Teoh during a protest. According to local media, more people—mostly tourists—have been attacked or killed while travelling through Nyanga, frequently as a result of following navigation app recommendations.
The UK government warned its people travelling to South Africa after Mr. Teoh’s sad tragedy. It advised them to exercise caution when using GPS navigation and to avoid deviating from main roads as these routes may lead to less safe places.
The warning made clear that the majority of violent crimes take place in remote locations or in townships outside of big cities.
