From Kruger To Table Mountain: Anti Poaching Tactics Take On Crime

Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain might be a postcard-perfect landmark, but for locals and tourists alike, safety has long been a nagging concern. Muggings, assaults and environmental crimes like abalone poaching have cast a shadow over one of South Africa’s proudest attractions. Now, SANParks is turning to Kruger National Park’s hard-earned anti-poaching expertise to fight back.

Borrowing Lessons From Kruger

Speaking in Parliament, SANParks CEO Hapiloe Sello admitted that crime remains the single biggest challenge facing Table Mountain National Park (TMNP). Sprawling across 225 square kilometres from Signal Hill to Cape Point, and with 80% of it open access, keeping the park safe is no small task.

To strengthen the fight, SANParks is applying lessons learned from Kruger’s battle against rhino poaching, where advanced technology and specialised teams have made a difference.

“We are seeing to what extent we can apply some of the technology that has assisted us there with regards to rhino poaching, to Table Mountain,” Sello told MPs.

A Growing Safety Force

The park’s SEAM Team a land, air and marine unit with special forces training and K9 support has grown from 16 to 40 members. They work alongside 111 ranger corps staff, with SANParks also testing drones, rolling out bodycams, and installing surveillance cameras set to arrive in November.

A new senior manager has been appointed to oversee visitor safety, while the procurement of a boat is under way to help the SEAM Team fight abalone poaching.

But Sello was frank: “Boots on the ground in the form of human beings can only cover so much, where technology can cover vast tracts of land.”

Community Partnerships And Volunteers

Partnerships are also part of the plan. TMNP is working closely with SAPS, Cape Town Metro Police and civil society groups. SANParks will also revive its volunteer safety services programme in early 2026, bringing local hiking groups and mountain safety advocates back into the fold.

Why Safety Matters For Tourism

Table Mountain is no ordinary park. It is South Africa’s second-most visited attraction after the V&A Waterfront, drawing millions of visitors each year. Over the past five years, it has generated more than R1.34 billion in revenue, largely thanks to the cableway, Cape Point and Boulders Beach.

Locals know that crime incidents on the mountain quickly make headlines and trend on social media, often deterring tourists. Cape Town businesses reliant on tourism have long urged authorities to protect the mountain, arguing that safety is as vital as the views.

A Shift In Approach

By blending Kruger’s poaching-fighting tactics with new technology and community partnerships, SANParks is signalling a shift: Table Mountain’s crime problem won’t be ignored.

For residents and visitors, the hope is that these changes restore confidence in one of Cape Town’s most treasured spaces a mountain that belongs to everyone, but one that needs protecting as fiercely as the wildlife in Kruger.

Source:Tourism Update 

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com