CAPE TOWN - As Sea, Air and Mountain (Seam) special operations rangers embarked on their first week of anti-crime operations, in the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), there were arrests and removals of people illegally overnighting in hotspot areas.
TMNP park manager Frans van Rooyen congratulated the Seam operators who managed and welcomed the arrest of a suspected criminal this weekend.
“We are grateful to have successes coming from the Seam operators in their first official week of operation and we will continue to focus on these urban edge zones to ensure the safety of our visitors.”
Van Rooyen who confirmed that this is the start of our Seam operators park wide deployment with a successful extended operation in the Signal Hill, Lions Head, Tafelberg road, and Table Mountain front face areas of the park. The unit with the canine detachment conducted covert and visible policing operations, supported by the South African Police Services (SAPS) and TMNP rangers.
“On the 11th of December 2021, Seam operators successfully removed individuals illegally overnighting in the Schotschekloof area of TMNP. On the 12th of December 2021, Seam operators arrested a suspicious individual on the slopes of Signal Hill who was in possession of a dangerous weapon and drugs. It was later confirmed by the SAPS that the 35-year-old male has an existing criminal record,” SANParks said in a statement.
“Congratulations to the entire Seam team, K9 unit, operations centre management and stakeholders and we thank you for your dedication, discipline and tenacity,” Van Rooyen said.
SANParks said the suspects have been handed over to the SAPS for further investigation and will be appearing in court in due course.
Cape Times