[imagesource:wonderai]

Finally, some good news from the slopes of Table Mountain as two alleged robbers were quickly caught after robbing a group of mountain bikers on Monday.

The promising start to making our mountain safer was thanks to a collaboration between SAPS’ newly reformed Table Mountain Safety Forum and the City of Cape Town law enforcement tourism unit.

The incident occurred on the jeep track close to Military Road above Tamboerskloof. After robbing the group of cyclists, the newly reformed Table Mountain Safety Forum, together with SAPS and the City of Cape Town law enforcement tourism unit, quickly responded and managed to corner the suspects.

Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said:

“An integrated operation between SAPS and law enforcement led to the arrests of the two suspects – aged 18 and 20 – on Monday in connection with a spate of robberies that were reported on the Table Mountain National Park”.

“The investigation into these robberies is still ongoing, and more arrests cannot be ruled out.”

Good job, let’s keep up the pressure and squeeze these invasive species of pests until they get the message that Table Mountain belongs to the people of Cape Town, not a bunch of skollies with pig-stickers.

According to SANParks spokesperson Lauren Howard-Clayton, the joint operation resulted in the arrest of two “known criminals” with links to multiple robbery cases in the Signal Hill and Lion’s Head area after the suspects were tracked by TMNP’s sea, air, and mountain (SEAM) team with dogs and the assistance of vigilant cyclists who pursued the suspects.

“Following the surge in criminal activities, specifically along Lion’s Head and Signal Hill, TMNP recognises the potential for crime displacement when allocating additional resources focused on specific zones. To counter this, the SEAM team executes targeted special operations,” said Clayton.

She went on to say that the programmes tackle crimes against tourists as well as environmental crimes including abalone (perlemoen) poaching and bark stripping – taking the fight to a variety of pests in other words.

According to Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, the cyclists were held up at knifepoint and robbed of their valuables. Good communication between the various entities then allowed the various role-players to respond immediately and SAPS arrested a suspect matching the description, while the second suspect was tracked to a dwelling on the slopes of the mountain that had been previously invaded and unlawfully occupied.

“The strength of the recently formed collaboration efforts allowed information to flow quickly and for a coordinated, joint response between all role-players. We now need to ensure that these perpetrators are brought to justice for their crimes and the fear bestowed upon users of the national park.”

Right on JP, let’s get the trash removed from the mountain so we can all enjoy our amazing World Heritage site.

[source:news24]