News

Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), working closely with law enforcement partners, recorded a highly successful operational weekend, resulting in multiple arrests linked to burglary and illegal poaching activities.

In Vredehoek, a planned joint operation involving the TMNP Sea, Air, Mountain (SEAM) Unit, TMNP K9 Unit, South African National Parks (SANParks) Rangers, private landowner, and the South African Police Service (SAPS) led to the arrest of two suspects linked to a series of house burglaries.

Intelligence indicated the suspects were using mountain routes to access and flee residential areas. During early morning operations on 25 January, both suspects were apprehended in possession of stolen property, with TMNP K9 Leah assisting in one of the apprehensions. SAPS has since linked the suspects to multiple burglary cases in the area.

In a separate operation at Smitswinkel Bay, TMNP SEAM and K9 units responded to reports of illegal diving activity. One suspect was arrested and found in possession of 11 bags of illegal abalone, including 72 whole abalone and approximately 1,150 shucked abalone, along with diving equipment. The suspect was handed over to Simon’s Town SAPS, where a case was opened.

These successful operations highlight TMNP’s ongoing commitment to protecting communities and preserving marine and terrestrial resources through intelligence-led, multi-agency collaboration.

SANParks encourages users to report any suspicious activity, safety concerns or incidents to law enforcement authorities, including the South African Police Service (SAPS), by calling the dedicated emergency number at 086 110 6417, or visiting the nearest police station to open up a case in an event of an incident.

Reporting helps law enforcement intervene and reduces crime in parks like Table Mountain National Park.