The Chief Executive Officer of South African National Parks
(SANParks), Dr David Mabunda, announced today that the organisation
will be dispatching armed rangers in the Table Mountain National
Park.

He said the impact of crime over the years in parts of the Table
Mountain National Park had resulted in a decision to increase the
number of rangers patrolling the area by 50. The park  currently
employs 43 rangers and 12 visitor safety officers. Over the next three
years efforts will be made to increase the number of additional
rangers by a 100 in total.

The rangers will be responsible for all matters related to the
functions of rangers in national parks including visitor safety,
visitor rescue, anti-poaching, disaster management, and crime
prevention in general.

SANParks has also decided to expand the number of dogs utilised in the
Park as these have been shown to be an effective mechanism in security
operations.

The recruitment process for the rangers will begin immediately.
Rangers will be trained to the same level of the Kruger National Park
rangers, with emphasis on safety, rescue and disaster management. It
is envisaged that the first recruits will report for duty within the
next three (3) months.

SANParks will continue to maintain its excellent relationship with
SAPS, the City Metro Police, the Province, and with its other partners
in a multi-stakeholder approach to combatting crime on Table Mountain.
The intervention enjoys the support of Western Cape Premier, Helen
Zille, who gave it her approval when Dr Mabunda contacted her on
Monday 04 April 2011.

Dr Mabunda said that “SANParks is aiming at making a significant dent
in the incidence of crime on Table Mountain. To achieve this SANParks
will be increasing the visibility of rangers on the TMNP and will be
providing the needed resources to ensure both an effective deterrent
and a quick response to crime scenes”.

He further said “We cannot allow the internationally iconic status of
TMNP to be negatively impacted by ongoing crime in this area. The
economic implications for the Cape Town City and the country are
significant, such that, together with our partners, we have to act
decisively in dealing with this issue. At the end of the day the Table
Mountain National Park is there for all, and we want both our domestic
and international visitors to be able to enjoy the Park to its fullest
without any fear”.

Issued by: SANParks Corporate Communications on behalf of Chief
Executive