News

This morning a couple was robbed on Signal Hill by three men. They were unhurt but the thieves made off with their camera and personal effects. Soon after the incident a patrol consisting of TMNP rangers and City Police arrived in the area.

Says Fiona Kalk Communications Manager for TMNP, “TMNP rangers, with the assistance of SAPS and the City Police, are currently combing the area in an attempt to apprehend the perpetrators but we suspect they have already escaped back down the hill into the City.

“As it is an open access park surrounded by the City of Cape Town we face the challenge of dealing with criminals that operate within the City of Cape Town and from time to time move into areas of the Park directly abutting the City.

“TMNP is making every effort to deal with the issue of urban-edge crime and is treating the matter of visitor safety as our top priority. Members of the public are asked to report suspicious behaviour in the area to the 24-hour Bellville Control Office on: 021 957 4700.”

By 1 December the TMNP will have deployed 18 additional Visitor Safety Rangers to patrol high use zones bringing dedicated Visitor Safety staff to a total of 60. This will increase incrementally to 75 by the end of 2006. In addition around 50 volunteers will be assisting the TMNP in the roll out of the Visitor Safety Programme.

On 6 December we are convening the third in a series of High Level Visitor Safety meetings which will be attended by Province, SAPS, the City of Cape Town, Cape Town Routes Unlimited and Cape Town Tourism.

On Wednesday next week we are also attending a meeting convened by Cape Town Tourism where TMNP, Provincial and tourism representatives will be addressing the issue of visitor safety over season.

Ends

Fiona Kalk
Communications Manager
Table Mountain National Park
tel: +27 021 701 8692
fax:+27 021 701 8773
[email protected]