Residents concerned about Signal Hill muggings

Take Back Our Mountains, a non-profit organisation, is concerned about the number of muggings that have occurred on Signal Hill last month.

Taahir Osman, one of the TBOM's founders, says they formed the NPO to curb crime by organising group hikes and environmentally-friendly activities on Table Mountain.

“We focus on looking after our biodiversity as well as the safety of visitors to Table Mountain and we’ve been doing this for five years. We are doing visible patrols now to deter the muggings happening on Signal Hill,” Mr Osman said.

Mr Osman says they have over 300 volunteers and that they communicate via WhatsApp when coordinating hikes and visitor safety patrols. On their Facebook page, which has 10 000 members, they distribute information about safety matters.

“We hear about the attacks via social media, there’s plenty of hiking pages and that’s where we get our information and that’s how we create awareness. We also inform SANParks rangers and that’s how we do this. There’s been 10 muggings during the month of March and we are getting neighbourhood watch groups involved as this is being taken seriously,” he said.

He says that TBOM operates throughout the Table Mountain parks and has a working partnership with TMNP and SANParks administration.

“We suspect that the crimes are taking place when there is a shift change with the rangers which happens between five and seven at night. There is also a shift change at sunrise and yes this is when it is happening. Residents from Bo-Kaap have informed us that individuals from Bo-Kaap are involved in these attacks,” he said.

According to Wayne Dyason, the TMNP's spokesperson, Signal Hill is part of the TMNP and has the resources to focus on visitor safety.

“The City supports SANParks where possible, through its area enforcement agencies, but also the Law Enforcement Tourism Unit. However, given the many demands on the City’s resources, it is not possible to maintain a static presence in any area. Visitors to the area are advised to go in groups where possible, and to have all relevant emergency numbers so that they can report any suspicious activity or incidents,” said Mr Dyason.

Mr Osman says to be safe on hiking paths, tourists should utilise guides or hike in groups.

“This crime really affects our economy, people don’t want to visit here. Bo-Kaap is a tourist attraction, we have Table Mountain, but we have to advise visitors where to walk and where not to go. Even locals need to know that they can’t just go for a walk, they must be aware of what’s happening on our mountain and be safe,” he said.

SANParks spokesperson Lauren Howard-Clayton said they have rangers on duty day and night as well as the 18 Sea, Air and Mountain Special Operations Rangers that patrol the TMNP.

“We are aware of incidents that have occurred in the northern section of the park and can confirm that most of the incidents occurred during the day,” Ms Howard-Clayton said.

Andre van Schalkwyk from the Table Mountain Watch says that the other hotspot areas are closer to Tamboerskloof as well as Poyser Park and Vista School.

“The question is how are they avoiding detection? Neighbourhood watch have patrols, there is CCTV and yet they seem to be able to move in and out at will. Lion’s Head was a hotspot during November and part of December. It’s been quiet since then, with muggings moving to the Devil’s Peak, Blockhouse and Vredehoek urban edge (East of Deer Park). That area has also been quiet recently due to various anti-crime activities,” Mr Van Schalkwyk said.

He believes that a long-term solution is for SAPS, law enforcement, and private security to collaborate more effectively to combat crime.

“The main trail up Lion’s Head is generally safer than some of the lower trails or the pipe track above Camps Bay, but people have to be careful of who they allow into their space. Both locals and tourists are victims, it’s not weighted more towards tourists as one would think,” he said.

At the time of going to print there was no response from SAPS.

The City’s public emergency communication centre can be contacted on 021 480 7700 from a cell phone.