‘Knife-wielding robbers’ caught in Table Mountain National Park

Two men who allegedly robbed a group of mountain bikers at knifepoint have been arrested in Table Mountain National Park (TMNP).

The group was robbed of their valuables on Monday on the jeep track close to Military Road on the slopes above Tamboerskloof in Cape Town.

“A description of the assailants was quickly circulated among the role players within the collaboration efforts of the TMNP Safety Forum. A short while later, police arrested a suspect matching the description, while the second suspect had disappeared,” said the city's safety and security MMC JP Smith.

The city’s law enforcement tourism unit and SANParks Sea, Air and Mountain (Seam) special operations rangers tracked the second suspect to an informal dwelling on the slopes of the mountain which had previously been unlawfully occupied.

“The suspect was detained and escorted to a police station where he was positively identified as the accomplice and was arrested.

“It was the strength of the recently formed collaboration efforts that allowed information to flow quickly and for a co-ordinated, joint response between all role players,” said Smith.

He said the property where the second suspect was found fell under the control of national government and “previous requests to address the unlawful occupation on that site were not answered. Today’s action must again prompt national government that the unlawful activities occurring on this site can no longer be left unattended”.

The Table Mountain Safety Forum comprises South African National Parks (SANParks), SAPS and the city’s law enforcement tourism unit. 

“The joint operation, together with the brave mountain bikers, resulted in the apprehension of two known criminals with connections to multiple robbery cases in the Signal Hill and Lions Head area, after the suspects were tracked by TMNP’s Seam team with canines and the help of vigilant cyclists who pursued the suspects,” TMNP said in a statement.

“While SANParks fully supports the freedom of visitors to explore and enjoy the park, we urge all park-goers to engage in efforts aimed at curtailing criminal activities. Practising safe behaviour significantly contributes to these collective endeavours. Park users are urged to travel in groups, avoid night-time activities in the park and report suspicious behaviour immediately. Victims of crime are urged to open a case at their nearest SAPS station to assist in building up evidence against repeat offenders.”

Smith appealed to victims of previous attacks on hiking trails around Lion’s Head, who believe they can identify the perpetrators from a photo line-up, to contact the police. 

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