Mugger fight to go undercover?

2007-02-14 21:24

Cape Town - Undercover defence-force patrols should be introduced to combat a spate of muggings on the slopes of Table Mountain, urged Cape Town mayoral committee member for tourism Simon Grindrod.

He said in a statement on Wednesday that the city had to "urgently secure our key tourist sites" before further damage was done to its image.

He said there were "continuous" muggings, assaults and robberies at main destinations.

Grindrod said: "I have written today to the provincial department of safety to request that this option be looked into.

"We do not wish to alarm tourists or citizens and I propose that well-trained military workers patrol these areas in plain clothes."

Table Mountain National Park has instituted patrols in a bid to combat the muggings.

However, in the past three weeks 14 people have been mugged in the vicinity of Skeleton Gorge above the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and a group of tourists were mugged on Tuesday near the lower cable station.

Park officials have called a meeting for Thursday evening to assess offers by members of the public to volunteer for patrols.

- SAPA