News

SANParks has taken note of the unfortunate statement that was released by a grouping calling itself the #SaveTableMountain coalition. We will provide comprehensive details on our festive season readiness in due course. That said, we want to also put the following factual information on record.

1. No official crime statistics have been released. Objective public records shows that whilst there was a spike earlier in the year, these have now stabilised to around single digit numbers. Also, the recruitment of a Senior Safety and Security specialist has been concluded, and the selected candidate is set to begin in early December 2025.
2. We increased our conservation staff by 43% and doubled the SEAM Team
3. Following an independent assessment of the K9 dogs and handlers, SANParks decided to retire older dogs, and relocate some others to where their skills are better suited. We are looking into securing newly trained dogs that will be integrated into the K9.
4. While volunteers play an important role in trail work, SANParks maintains an ongoing, structured maintenance programme. In 2025 alone, 64 km of trails were maintained in the first few months, and SANParks is commissioning a comprehensive trail assessment to support long-term planning.
5. The claim that TMNP is financially neglected is not supported by SANParks’ audited financial governance processes. National parks operate within a cross-subsidisation model mandated by government, ensuring that conservation priorities across the country receive adequate resourcing.
6. We constituted open, robust and constructive platforms with stakeholders which resulted – and continues to guide – constructive deliverables. We find the choice of attempting to use media with questionable information aimed at unjustifiably tarnishing SANParks’ reputation in bad taste and undermining of these efforts.