Safety concerns persist at Table Mountain despite decrease in muggings
Cape Town - Despite muggings and attacks decreasing along the slopes of Table Mountain, Friends of Table Mountain (FoTM) has called on the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, as well as SANParks, to provide a higher budget to ensure long-term safety security measures.
SANParks has since disputed the figures given by the organisation on their budget allocated.
According to FoTM, the year 2023 had 96 muggings compared to 2024 with 60.
This ties in with recent data shared by SANParks, which revealed that 60 crime incidents were reported between November and December 2024, and January 2025.
They said they had seen a decrease in robberies by 40 percent, which included attempted robbery, robbery, and theft from persons or motor vehicles.
Andy Davies, chairperson of FoTM, said: “We are relieved to see that we have not had a repeat of 2023’s notoriously high festive season crime spree on Table Mountain National Park (TMNP).
“We believe this can be attributed to three things.
“The arrest of a repeat mugger on Lion’s Head and the demise of one of two repeat muggers above Camps Bay, in 2023.
“The significant increase in resources provided by the City of Cape Town and the improved collaboration between various law enforcement agencies and the public.”
Davies added that resources had been stretched to keep parks safe.
“The City has deployed resources to various hotspots on TMNP from 4am until 8pm over two shifts.
“We understand that approximately 43 metro, law enforcement and traffic officers are deployed to TMNP at any one time.
“This visible policing will have a positive impact on crime prevention. We are also very pleased to see that all the stakeholders are taking crime on TMNP seriously and working together to prevent it from happening.
"However, we still believe that 60 incidents last year are far too high for such an important national park and critical tourist attraction. A lot more must be done to ensure TMNP is a safe park for all to use,” he added.
He said for this reason, they called for more funding to be distributed for the benefit of the upkeep of the park.
“FoTM calls on Dr Dion George, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, as well as SANParks to assign a far higher budget from the substantial TMNP income to ensure the many problems plaguing the park are resolved,” he said.
“For the 2024 tax year, SANParks made an income of R430 million but only spent R107 million on TMNP.
“SANParks is responsible for the safety of visitors to TMNP and should follow the good example of the City of Cape Town by deploying sufficient resources throughout the week and during all daylight hours.”
Davies reiterated that the City received no direct income from TMNP.
JP Louw, SANParks Head of Communications and Spokesperson, said they have engaged with Davies to explain South Africa’s approach to conservation management and that the figures they indicated were incorrect.
“This is an approach which is respected worldwide and has led to SANParks being recognised as one of the leading conservation management agencies in the world.
“To this extent, Mr Davies’ presentation of Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) financials is incorrect.
“The figures of incidents presented by Davies are also incorrect and are unverified.
“In the interests of ensuring improved accountability between SANParks and role players like Mr Davies who wish to play a role in TMNP, the Volunteer Safety Services (VSS) has been established.
“The VSS brings together interested parties that include tour operators, community organisations and trail organisers who work together with SANParks to provide support to TMNP which enhance safety and security and ultimately, conservation efforts.”
The Cape Argus approached Peter Mbelengwa, from George’s office for a response, who indicated it was best suited for SANParks to comment.