Weekend of Table Mountain muggings leaves one attacker dead, one apprehended

The spate of robberies, many of them violent, in Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) has shown no signs of abating after two mugging incidents this weekend ended in dramatic circumstances.

Body of assailant recovered

According to reports, a group of nine hikers – one of whom was a member of the Dutch consulate – were robbed at knifepoint near Slangolie Ravine (close to Camps Bay) on Sunday.

ALSO READ: Three athletes mugged during UTCT race on Table Mountain

While the two assailants were taking the hikers’ belongings, including jewellery, cellphones and money, the guide allegedly sprayed one of the assailants with pepper spray, causing him to jump backwards and fall off the trail while the other mugger fled.

The guide returned to the area with TMNP rangers and law enforcement to search for the assailant who fell, but the search had to be called off at 21:30 on Sunday evening.

ALSO READ: Safety initiative for Table Mountain park receives R4 million boost

The body of the assailant was recovered on Monday, and no vital signs were present. His cause of death and the surrounding circumstances will likely be investigated by SAPS, says City of Cape Town’s Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith.

In a separate incident, a woman tourist was reportedly attacked by a man with a knife and robbed of her belongings on Lion’s Head on Sunday. A joint operation between SANParks, Cape Town Metro Police, and law enforcement officers eventually located the suspect, and the hiker’s belongings were retrieved.

ALSO READ: Table Mountain attacks highlight crime threat to South Africa tourism

Table Mountain National Park manager Megan Taplin, thanked the respective authorities for the swift arrest.

“The suspect was arrested, and the victim has opened a case with the South African Police Services. Our teams will continue to monitor this area and ensure the safety of the park users,” she said.

Spate of muggings

ALSO READ: Cape Town communities rally against recent Table Mountain muggings

In November, Cape Town Tourism CEO Enver Duminy expressed his concern over criminal activities on Table Mountain and how they had the potential to dent the image of Cape Town’s tourism sector following muggings during the Ultra-trail Cape Town (UTCT) race.

Read more on that story here.

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