Cape Town, South Africa – A lawsuit has been filed against Google Maps by a high-powered Los Angeles couple for allegedly directing them to a dangerous South African neighborhood known as “Hell Run,” where they were brutally attacked at gunpoint. The regional director of the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s LA office, Jason and Katharine Zoladz, used the app in October to navigate from their Airbnb to Cape Town’s airport, as reported by the Mercury News.
The couple claimed that Google Maps routed them into the Nyanga neighborhood, known for “numerous” violent attacks on tourists by armed bandits, despite warnings to the tech giant from US and local officials about the wrong directions. The lawsuit alleges that gangs of robbers would lie in wait for tourists traveling in rental cars and assault them by throwing bricks or large stones through the car windows, violently assaulting the occupants, and stealing valuables. The victims were left “injured, maimed, or dead,” it added.
When the Zoladzes stopped at a red light, armed individuals surrounded their vehicle, breaking Jason Zoladz’s lower jaw bone into several pieces and rendering him unconscious. The gunmen pulled the couple from the car, fired several gunshots, and stole their cash, credit cards, and cell phones before fleeing.
Jason underwent three hours of reconstructive surgery and now lives with four metal plates in his jaw, continued pain and numbness, and faces the likelihood of future surgeries. Katharine was left with lasting emotional damage. The company agreed to stop Google Maps from directing people through the dangerous area three weeks after the brutal attack, the suit claims.
The couple is seeking unspecified damages. Katharine Zoladz was named regional director of the agency’s LA office, having joined the SEC in 2010 and served as acting co-director since June 2023 and as associate regional director for enforcement since October 2019.
The lawsuit highlights the importance of accurate and safe navigation technology, especially in unfamiliar and potentially dangerous areas. It also raises questions about the responsibility of tech companies to ensure the safety of their users when providing directions. The case could have significant implications for the future development and regulation of navigation apps and their accountability in ensuring user safety.
This incident serves as a reminder for travelers to exercise caution and verify the safety of their routes, particularly in unfamiliar locations. Additionally, it prompts a critical examination of the measures taken by technology companies to protect their users and prevent them from entering hazardous areas.