Friends of Table Mountain petition calls government to make mountain safer

Davies says he has called for a meeting with SANParks, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environmental Affairs and the Police Ministry at parliament later today to hand over a petition with over 10 thousand signatures, calling for measures to be put in place to make Table Mountain National Park safe from criminals.

The call and petition comes after "an unfortunate crime spike at the end of the year last year" where both criminals and victims of crimes lost their lives, says Davies.

The petition calls for:

More recruitment of SANParks rangers on the mountain.
Consistent policing and security throughout the year.
The existing fencing around mountain to be repaired as "some are falling down" aiding vagrants and criminals to move freely.

Andy hopes that these can be met by the officials as the main concern for its decline would be that it takes police resources away in other areas around the City.

Davies adds that there have been some successful arrests but crime still continues and remains a top priority for the organisation.

Davies notes that the City of Cape Town has "come to the party by providing visible policing services" which "resulted in a decrease in crime on the mountain for now."

But it's not enough...

Davies says often help from the City comes as a reaction to crime hotspots which is a temporary solution.

"We need to see a consistent level of resourcing and security to police crime throughout the year."

Andy Davies, Chairperson - Friends of Table Mountain

Regarding government intervention, Davies notes that he has received "no communication" so far.

As a result from the petition, Davies hopes for consistent commitment from SANParks and government officials.

"Whether officials will arrive to the meeting today, I cannot say."

Andy Davies, Chairperson - Friends of Table Mountain