Yet another tourist attack has taken place in the Mother City, this time in Wolfgat Nature Reserve. At midday on Tuesday, an elderly German couple took a break along Baden Powell Drive, near Wolfgat, to capture some scenic moments. While the male passenger dozed off in the vehicle, his wife, armed with the camera, ventured out. Their peaceful scene was disrupted when two unfamiliar individuals approached.
One suspect targeted the vehicle, knocking on the car window before opening the driver’s door and snatching the plugged-in GPS from the front seat. In the process, the suspect assaulted the elderly male victim, by waving a panga around when faced with resistance. At the same time, the second suspect grabbed the female victim’s camera and forced her to the ground. In an attempt to ward off the robber, the victim handed over some cash.
The arrival of passers-by prompted the two suspects to flee on foot. A pursuit ensued, resulting in the apprehension of the culprits and the recovery of the stolen items and weapons.
The 30 and 34-year-old suspects now face charges of armed robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm. They are expected to appear at the Mitchells Plain Magistrates court once charged.
Tourist safety in the Mother City
This attack comes days after an American tourist was shot and robbed while driving through Nyanga. The 55-year-old was taken through the notoriously dangerous neighborhood in a rental car from the Cape Town International Airport after his GPS advised it was the shortest route. He was due to visit friends in Simon’s Town then Hermanus.
In an interview from his hospital bed following the attack, the tourist advised that people, especially tourists, should be made aware of dangerous neigbourhoods across the City. Nyanga police are still searching for the suspects.
READ MORE: ‘I got shot in the face’ – American tourist’s horror ordeal in Nyanga
At the same time, the City of Cape Town has launched its festive season safety plan as it prepares for a record-breaking tourist season this summer. The Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said he is confident that a multi-disciplinary approach and the use of technology will bolster tourist safety. The safety launch will see 4000 members of the metro’s law enforcement units deployed to curb crime.
