A group of avid hikers, mountain lovers and conservation groups held a peaceful protest at Lion’s Head on Friday 1 December, to voice their anger and frustration with the spate of robberies on the Table Mountain National Parks (TMNP).
The protest was spearheaded by Friends of Lion’s Head and Signal Hill (Flash) Organisation and started at 05:00 for a sunrise hike.
Kosta Papageorgiou, Flash chair, says they aimed to rally the citizens of Cape Town to voice their apprehensions regarding safety in the Table Mountain National Park.
“Additionally, we aim to empower the community to express their concerns and dissatisfaction about the safety of the park and seek attention from various media platforms.”
Papageorgiou urges SANParks and TMNP to reassess the use of the “substantial revenue” generated by Table Mountain National Park and challenge the notion that the park’s vastness makes it difficult to police.
“We also aim to advocate for the creation of a sustainable movement that calls for a dedicated mountain safety unit.
He adds: “We seek to support local businesses impacted by SANParks TMNP’s restrictions and demand the consolidation into a single unit responsible for mountain policing.”
Papageorgiou emphasised the need for increased ranger employment and effective training to address safety concerns and unemployment.
“Furthermore, we propose a centralised approach to streamline efforts and suggest involving a privately managed organisation in Table Mountain National Park for heightened security on key routes.”
British Ultra runner, Tom Evans was also a victim recently.
Papageorgiou says their goal is to ensure the safety of the locals, promote unified efforts, and advocate for practical measures that benefit both park safety and community well-being.
Andrea Scheepers, Flash committee member, says they want safer trails for all to use.
“Crime has increased at an exponential rate. So, all we ask for is a proactive and visible approach to ensure the mountain trails remain safe for both tourists and locals.
Scheepers says all stakeholders must work together.
“This includes the City, SANParks and police. Offer visible security, especially on popular trail routes. Don’t just stop operation because you don’t have a solution but rather work with those who use the mountains and trails regularly.”
She says tour operators are also affected.
“Tour operators are now left with cancelled bookings and nobody will be able to fill that financial void. So, instead of reactive approaches by SANParks, we are calling for proactive and collaborative approaches.”
Scheepers says they hope their pleas do not fall on deaf ears.
“We speak on behalf of all locals who frequent the mountain trails. We just want to be heard. We want those in power to tell us why there are so few visible rangers and why only when a tourist is hurt, do they want to do something. We want to work together with them to come up with viable long-term solutions and not just quick fixes.”
Frank Dwyer, a tour and mountain guide, says the spate of muggings has affected them.
“I know of at least four tour guides that had to cancel hikes, one of them had a tour cancelled. It is affecting our business. On a hike to Lion’s Head and Platteklip Gorge recently I didn’t see any tour guides.” He calls on authorities to work together and consult with them to find solutions.
