US Tourist Shot and Robbed After GPS Led Him into a Dangerous South African Town.
A 55-year-old American tourist, Walter Fischel, faced a nightmare vacation after being shot and robbed in one of the most perilous neighborhoods globally, Nyanga, in South Africa.
Fischel, hailing from Connecticut, landed at Cape Town International Airport earlier this month, only to find himself in a life-threatening situation.
The tourist, still recovering from surgery, revealed the harrowing details of his near-death encounter.
Upon landing, Fischel rented a car, exchanged money, and set out for his accommodation in Simon’s Town. Opting for the shortest route provided by his GPS, he unwittingly navigated through Nyanga, known as one of the most dangerous places in the world.
Fischel explained, “I picked the route – the shortest distance – which was not the highway because the highway apparently had traffic.”
As he approached Nyanga, traffic congestion forced him to a stop. Subsequently, four men surrounded his car, leading to a horrifying sequence of events.
Describing the attack, Fischel recounted, “The guy reached in, opened – hit the lock, opened the door, (and one of) his accomplice(s) opened the passenger door.”
Attempting to resist, Fischel tried to grab the assailant’s gun, but he was shot in the face. The attackers seized his belongings, including the car keys, and ejected him from the vehicle.
Nursing a bullet wound, with missing teeth, and belongings stolen, Fischel managed to retrieve his bag from the car’s trunk.
He was rushed to a local hospital and later transferred to Cape Town’s Rondebosch Medical Centre due to the severity of his injuries, including a fractured mandible and a bullet still lodged in his face.
Fischel expressed gratitude for being alive but voiced anger at the lack of warnings for foreign visitors.
As he awaits his return to the US, Fischel has urged city law enforcement to enhance safety measures for travelers, emphasizing the need for better communication and precautions.