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Signal Hill and Lion’s Head have become such bad mugging hotspots, that paragliders have been seeing the crimes as they unfold.

As a result, hikers have been warned about being extra vigilant and careful when out and about on these city mountains.

The latest incident included two tourists robbed on the Camps Bay side of the mountain on Tuesday afternoon at about 3PM. The two muggers managed to take three rings, two cell phones, and two watches at knifepoint.

Take Back Our Mountains’ Tahir Osman said via Cape Argus that since March, there have been around 11 cases of muggings and the like, adding that “It was quiet because there were arrests, but on August 12 incidents happened”.

He said that this is an alarming trend for tourists and local residents who go to the mountain to spend time with their families and that he doesn’t blame the German travel advisory for telling their people not to come to Cape Town since a lot of tourists get robbed, “and there is the Frischke case”, he added.

He is referring to Nick Frischke who was supposedly killed in Hout Bay (although, there’s not enough evidence to lay a murder charge) and who still has not been found.

Osman also mentioned the case of three ladies who took a wrong turn when their friends stayed late on Signal Hill, causing them to be robbed, as well as a couple of Saudi Arabians who were pick-pocketed.

Osman said that the law enforcement agencies do show up but the criminals know their schedules and work around them:

“SANParks should ensure safety for the visitors, they have security, SAPS and Law Enforcement officers. We understand the park is way understaffed, but we have been in talks with the new park manager. We need to find a solution to combat what is happening there.

“We patrol, and we take hikes, two and three as volunteers. We have someone who is living nearby, and he came up with a plan that we are still going to present to SANParks.”

One of the major problems is that the City evicts the homeless, forcing them to move to the mountains. Some culprits pretend to be e-hailing service drivers and rob people, while Osman also knows of a group of females who go up to ‘picnic’ and then pickpocket tourists.

Park Manager for TMNP, Megan Taplin, said that it is important to recognise that these mountains are in the heart of a City, and as urban crime rates rise, this can spill over into the park.

“Many of these incidents are not just petty crimes but operations run by organized criminal syndicates, therefore demanding engagement at a higher level from all authorities.

“Our strategy involves a balance between concentrating on hotspots and ensuring comprehensive coverage of all areas within the park,” Taplin said.

Risk Intelligence Analyst André Colling confirmed the Lion’s Head and Signal Hill crime surge has involved theft, theft from vehicles, and muggings.

“These have occurred at varying times with varying modus operandi. Often the perpetrator or perpetrators are armed and will threaten force by brandishing a weapon of some sorts. Most victims, unwilling to escalate, will surrender their items.”

According to police spokesperson FC van Wyk, Cape Town Central police are also concerned about the prevalence of crimes in these areas and have implemented operational plans to curb these crimes through an “integrated approach involving Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) rangers, SAPS and various law enforcement agencies, and our neighbourhood structures that conduct daily crime prevention operations in the affected areas”.

It is advised to hike or run in groups, avoid using the park after or before sunset and report any problems or crimes by calling 086 110 6417. You need to let SAPS know what’s up so that they can investigate and prosecute offenders.

[source:iol]