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04 August 2011

TMNP update on visitor safety

  • Advertised in April for Field Rangers as well as for the supervisory positions of Ranger Sergeants, Ranger Corporals and Section Rangers posts were advertised – to start working in July/August 2011.
  • Received 535 applicants. The closing date was 11 May 2011.
  • The applicants were then shortlisted and sent on a 2-day fitness assessment, followed by a stringent interview process on 13, 14 and 15 June.
  • 29 Field Rangers were employed and signed their contracts today. 25 of the rangers will be start on 1 July. The other 4 will start later.
  • The appointment of the rest will be staggered from August 2011 until the full complement of staff is reached.

Arrests

  • More than 30 arrests have been made on the mountain this year in terms of suspicious individuals being handed over to SAPS for profiling and finger printing.

Rescues

TMNP Rangers have, this year, aided in 41 rescues.

Dog unit

The visitor safety dog unit has increased to a total of 8 dogs. Waterfront Rotary, K9 Training Centre and Kennels and acsis VOB Running Club have each donated a dog to the unit, with a successful “Gift-a-patrol-dog” campaign currently in action. In addition the Waterfront Rotary Club sponsored the building of the kennels for the expansion of the dog unit to the value of R93 000.

Hide out clearing: Bunkers

TMNP Rangers perform daily raids on all known hide-outs and observe each one for return suspects. On their daily patrols of the mountain chain, rangers are constantly searching for new hide-outs and criminals, as well as keeping a watchful eye on the known hot spots. Crime displacement is a reality and does present challenges, as when one particular area is cleared and monitored, suspects and criminal activity moves to another area.

Total number of visitors to TMNP

TMNP has a total of 3.7 million visitors to the park a year.

Issued By

Wanika Rusthoi, Public Relations Officer, cell: 072 060 8188, e-mail: [email protected]

Media Enquiries:
Merle Collins, Regional Communications Manager for Cape Region, cell: 072 627 3910, e-mail: [email protected]