Suspected arsonist caught red-handed in Cape Town park

A suspected arsonist was caught red-handed setting fire to the mountain side in a park bordering Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town.

The city’s auxiliary law enforcement officers reacted to a call for help, via a neighbourhood watch radio, by an armed response company to deal with a "riotous male" who was throwing stones at people at Van Riebeeck Park on Sunday.

Law enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason said: "Officers found the suspect setting fire to the mountainside. The suspect was detained while officers managed to obtain a garden hose from a neighbouring house and began extinguishing the fire.

"Cape Town's fire and rescue team arrived in less than 10 minutes to help, as well as Table Mountain National Parks fire teams."

The man was taken to Cape Town central police station and charged with arson.

"Officers later found out that this is the second fire the suspect has been arrested for this year. The first time was at the end of January."