JP Smith believes that the fires on Table Mountain were started deliberately.
Image: SANParks Table Mountain
The City of Cape Town has ordered the South African National Parks (SANParks) to open a case of arson following the devastating wild fires that have ravaged vegetation at Table Mountain.
Scores of emergency teams and rescue personnel have been hard at work quelling fires at various areas on the iconic landmark.
In a lengthy post on Facebook, City of Cape Town's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, said CoCT resources have been deployed to affected areas to assist officials on the ground and assess the situation.
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"The visual evidence we received was startling. The fire had been started directly alongside a deserted road, and now, just minutes later, no person was in sight," he said.
He added that while teams were attending to fires, more fires were reported on the Black River Parkway.
"Our resources were dispatched and attended to all major incidents simultaneously. The suspicion and circumstances around these incidents are cause for concern," Smith said.
Fire and emergency teams hard at work putting out fires along Table Mountain
Image: SANParks Table Mountain
Smith said he has asked management to collate all evidence and to provide this to SANParks, the custodian of the Table Mountain National Park, and then for them to open up a criminal case of arson and to launch a forensic investigation into these attacks.
He further cautioned against those dismissing the work undertaken by rescue teams and posting negative comments on social media.
Meanwhile, SANParks says there has been significant progress made to fight the fires.
I said 640 hectares have burnt in the Redhill to Kommetjie area while 139 hectares has burnt in the Newlands Ravine to Tafelberg Road area of the Park.
As a precaution, the following areas will remain closed until further notice:
- Front Table trails: From Platteklip Gorge to Newlands, including Maclear’s Beacon
- Tafelberg Road: Closed to the public
- Newlands forest trails, above Kirstenbosch and Rhodes Memorial area: Active fire lines remain close to these areas
- Red Hill trails: Access from Red Hill, Slangkop, Ocean View, Jonkersdam, and Kleinplaas Dam is restricted
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