Partnership with law enforcement sees 63% drop in Table Mountain crime - SANParks

CAPE TOWN - South African National Parks (SANParks) says its partnership with various law enforcement units has resulted in a 63% drop in crime in Table Mountain National Park.  

The mountain range, which stretches across the Cape Peninsula, has become a playground for criminals in recent years.  

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Park rangers are joining volunteer safety services and other law enforcement units for a safety awareness campaign in Deer Park on Wednesday.  

SANParks managing executive Property Mokoena said the partnership it formed with various law enforcement units, including the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the City of Cape Town in late 2023 is bearing results. 

Mokoena said in 2023, SANParks recorded 177 incidents of crime in Table Mountain National Park. He said in 2024 that number was brought down to 47.  

"It shows that whatever we are doing here with our partners bears positive results. I've said it before, we cannot succeed if we are doing this alone."  

SANParks urges anyone who would like to assist in curbing crime on the mountain to join its volunteer safety services.  

TABLE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARKS SAYS SYNDICATES BEHIND CRIME

SANParks says there's evidence to suggest crime syndicates are operating in Table Mountain National Park.

The area become a safety risk as robberies and attacks have been reported in the park.

The Table Mountain National Park’s manager, Megan Taplin says crime data analysis shows criminals are targeting certain areas of the mountain range at specific times of the day.

"There's a combination... So there are some syndicates that are operating and then there's also opportunistic crime that happens where there's people just looking for whatever opportunity they can get."

Taplin says SANParks used recent crime analysis to help its rangers.