CAPE TOWN – A heated dispute has erupted over safety at Table Mountain National Park, with community groups and park management offering conflicting accounts of crime trends and security measures.
The #SaveTableMountain coalition, backed by nearly 11,000 petition signatures, claims crime is escalating in the world-famous park. However, South African National Parks (SANParks) disputes these figures, saying incidents have “stabilised to around single digit numbers.”
The coalition released 2025 crime data showing what they describe as “a concerning upward trend” in violent attacks and robberies across popular areas including Lions Head, Signal Hill, and the Cape Peninsula.
“Crime remains the greatest threat to park users,” said a coalition spokesperson. “Many visitors are now avoiding certain areas entirely due to fear of assault.”
The group pointed to what they see as reduced security resources. While SANParks highlighted having 52 visitor safety rangers in 2021, the coalition says only 40 SEAM ((Sea, Aerial, and Mountain) Special Operations team members and two security dogs are currently deployed.
SANParks strongly disputed the coalition’s claims, calling their statement “unfortunate” and containing “questionable information.”
JP Louw, SANParks head of communications, said: “Whilst there was a spike earlier in the year, these have now stabilised to around single digit numbers.”
The authority announced that a new Senior Safety and Security specialist will begin work in December. They also claim to have increased conservation staff by 43% and doubled the SEAM Team.
The #SaveTableMountain coalition, consisting of Friends of Table Mountain, Take Back Our Mountains, Table Mountain Watch, Love Our Trails, Hikers Network, and Table Mountain Bikers, highlighted numerous examples of deteriorating park infrastructure, including:
- Rhodes Memorial Tea Room, destroyed by fire in April 2021
- The closed Hoerikwagga Trail due to damaged accommodation
- Derelict buildings at Orange Kloof and Tokai Manor
They claim volunteers have repaired 85km of trails, including 30km in 2024 alone, arguing this work should be SANParks’ responsibility.
SANParks countered that they maintain “an ongoing, structured maintenance programme” and completed 64km of trail work in early 2025. The authority is also commissioning a comprehensive trail assessment.
A key point of contention involves funding. The coalition questions why Table Mountain National Park appears underfunded when SANParks reports annual revenue of R4.1 billion and a cash balance of R2.7 billion.
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SANParks defended their financial management, explaining that national parks operate under a “cross-subsidisation model mandated by government” where profitable parks help fund conservation efforts nationwide.
The community groups have delivered a formal petition to the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, demanding:
- A clear action plan with timelines
- Transparent analysis of park resource needs
- Increased budget allocation
- Regular progress reports to stakeholders
Both sides claim to want the same outcome – a safe, well-maintained Table Mountain National Park for all visitors to enjoy.
SANParks says they will provide “comprehensive details on festive season readiness next week and continue working with stakeholders through “open, robust and constructive platforms.”
- Table Mountain National Park attracts millions of visitors annually and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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