Body of hiker found on mountain trail

Published Jan 31, 2016

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Nicolette Dirk

CRIME on Table Mountain has again come under the spotlight after a hiker was found stabbed to death along the Kasteelpoort hiking trail in the Camps Bay area early yesterday.

The hiker, in his early thirties, was found by another hiker.

“A cellphone was found close to his body when a hiker found him,” said SANParks spokesperson Merle Collins, confirming police spokesperson André Traut’s statement that a murder docket had been opened.

Traut said the unidentified man was believed to have been stabbed while running at Kasteelpoort at about 7am yesterday. No one had been arrested.

The incident comes after two women were raped in separate attacks near Rhodes Memorial and a third woman assaulted. The rape victims were UCT students.

The third woman was assaulted before her assailant attempted to rape her in the vicinity of Mostert’s Mill.

After the three incidents, the police and SANParks began an operation to ensure safety in the Rhodes Memorial area.

Mountain Club of South Africa vice-chairperson Brent Jennings said crime on the mountain was a big problem that the club was battling with.

“What happened to the hiker was terrible.

“A lot still needs to be done because crimes on mountainous areas are getting out of control,” he said.

Jennings said muggings were a particularly big problem around hot spots such as Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head.

“Muggers operate in broad daylight along trails like Lion’s Head,” said Jennings.

It is particularly difficult to get help on a mountain when your cellphone is stolen because hikers are usually unable to make calls and they need to walk long distances to get help, he said.

Wilderness Search and Rescue spokesperson Johan Marais said his team assisted with packaging the man’s body before it was airlifted off the mountain.

Anyone with information can call Crimestop on 08600 10111 or SMS Crime Line on 32211.

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