CONCERNS about visitor safety when hiking in Table Mountain National Park(TMNP) are growing as the fifth mugging this month took place yesterday with eight hikers being robbed in separate incidents on Lion’s Head yesterday.
Western Cape MEC for finance and tourism, Lynne Brown, said: “We plan to meet with SANParks and the Department of Community Safety to look at potential solutions”. She also said the Mountain Club of South Africa would be approached for their suggestions. “I am concerned that one of our tourism icons is under threat,” said Brown.
Spokesperson for TMNP, Phumeza Mgxashe, said TMNP was concerned about the number of attacks on Table Mountain. She said the park had invited its partners to a summer season safety readiness workshop where it would present its plans and share strategies. She confirmed that in most instances, hikers have been held at knifepoint and robbed of their personal valuables.
Alex Eppel of Cape Mountain Tours said he was concerned about growing crime on the mountain. “It is a place of beauty and tranquillity and it is a shame to have to be afraid there,” he said. Eppel said increased patrolling of the area could help to curb the crimes.
2007 muggings to date:
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January: two
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February and March: none
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April: one
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May: none
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June: one
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July: one
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August: five
