Non-profit organisation, Friends of Table Mountain, have called on the South African National Parks (SANParks) to deploy more rangers to the Table Mountain National Park to safeguard visitors and curb the recent spike in muggings and attacks at the park.
This comes after the organisation noted that 78 victims have been attacked in 47 incidents on the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) from January until 16 May, with women being the main targets.
According to the organisation, this is the highest number of violent crimes ever recorded on the mountain in the first five months of any previous year.
It has been noted that 2025 could break the record for the most violent crimes on the mountain if this trend continues, with more than 200 attacks predicted by December. Currently, 2023 reportedly holds the title of the most attacks, with 151 incidents reported.
“This is indeed a sinister trend, with attackers, who are always men, clearly targeting women,” said Andy Davies, Chairperson of Friends of Table Mountain
According to Davies, the organisation has found that over the last two decades, women have had a 7% greater chance of being attacked on the mountain versus an 18% lower chance of having an accident. However, in the last four years, women have a 70% greater chance of being attacked and a 20% lower chance of having an accident on the mountain.
” – In other words, women are being more careful in terms of safety yet are being attacked by criminals with far greater frequency, hence, we can conclude that women are being deliberately targeted by criminals,” added Davies.
Davies says while they are pleased to see an increase in SANParks rangers and SEAM team members, they do call on SANParks, the government body responsible for taking care of TMNP, which includes visitor safety, to do more to protect people on the mountain.
“We believe that SANParks should spend more of the lucrative income it receives from TMNP on keeping the park itself safe. Women should be able to enjoy time on the mountain without the threat of gun or knife violence.”
According to the organisation, criminals are reportedly becoming more brazen, even attacking groups of people at one time. A marked increase in criminals using guns to threaten mountain users has also been reported.
READ MORE: Table Mountain National Park has boosted safety on the mountain
