Cape Town Police launched an investigation after the body of a suspected Table Mountain robber was found on the mountain yesterday.
There were two robbers who confronted a group on the Pipe Track hiking trail on Sunday, but the guide with them, chased them away with pepper spray.
When the police went back to the scene to look for a cell phone, they came across the body.
The City’s MMC for Safety and Security JP Smith says it appears the one mugger had fallen off the trail with some of the stolen possessions.
Smith explains:
”Details are still being confirmed but it seems that on Sunday, a group of hikers were being lead along the pipe track, when they were confronted by two muggers. The tour guide defended the group by spraying both assailants with peppers pray, who then both took off running. Trying to locate one of the mobile phones that had been stolen but was still showing up close to where the robbery had taken place, SAPS returned today, along with members of SANParks. Attempting to locate the device and using the last location transmitted, it was discovered that the mugger had fallen of the trail along with some of the stolen possessions. At the time of his discovery, no vital signs were present.”
The incident comes after a spate of mountain muggings over the last few months, which prompted the City and Table Mountain National Park to increase security and visibility on the mountain over the festive season.
Additional patrols were instituted, which resulted in fewer incidents over the peak festive season.
It’s not the first time that users of the mountain take it on themselves to fight back. In early December, a group of mountain bikers successfully chased down two robbers, who was swiftly arrested after the mugging.
LISTEN: Mountain bikers chase muggers into arms of the police
But criminals are still taking every chance to attack hikers on the mountain. Also on Sunday, a woman was robbed of all her belongings on Lions Head.
Following a joint operation between SANParks Rangers, City of Cape Town Metro Police, and Law Enforcement officers, they located the suspect on Monday, and they were able to retrieve all the belongings of the victim, who has opened a case with police.
