Three RMB Ultra-trail runners were mugged during the race in Cape Town.

• Three more robberies on Table Mountain were reported a day after ultramarathon runners were mugged.
• The City of Cape Town had bolstered security on the mountain, but this did not prevent the incidents. 
• Police said none of the alleged victims came forward to report the incidents. 

There were allegedly three more mugging incidents on Table Mountain on Sunday, the day after three marathon runners were mugged during the RMB Ultra-trail race.

Western Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie said the three runners had not yet opened cases by Sunday afternoon.

He said they were assisted by metro police on the day. They were advised to open cases, but the runners wanted to first complete the race.

He said no other new mugging cases were opened.

However, Taahir Osman from Take Back Our Mountains, an NPO focused on protecting the mountain’s biodiversity, confirmed that there were three other mugging incidents on Sunday.

“The northern section of Table Mountain, Lions Head and Signal Hill, including the pipe track to Deer Park and Blockhouse Rhodes Memorial, has been a major hotspot since March this year,” Osman said.

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The NPO has a Table Mountain National Parks WhatsApp security alert group with 550 participants, including various law enforcement agencies and Table Mountain personnel.

He said there was an alert on the group about a mugging at 07:00 on Sunday and then another at 10:00. He added that muggers had targeted three cyclists in another incident during the day.

Osman said there was also a report of vandalism to the toilets at Kloof Nek.

“As the City strengthens its security with law enforcement, CCID [the Commercial Crime Investigation Department] [and the] City of Cape Town endorse neighbourhood watches and the implementation of CCTV; crime knows no boundaries. It extends up to Table Mountain as these perpetrators are aware that very little effort is being made to enhance security and encourage public participation.

“The additional assistance of the City of Cape Town is well appreciated by trail users, but we are aware that they are not familiar with the terrain and hotspots.”

Osman said the City had stepped in to help SANParks in dealing with crime.

On Sunday, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said on his X account that law enforcement officers and SANParks rangers were working together to keep the mountain safe.

“We encourage hikers and tourists to be vigilant and take precautions while you enjoy the natural beauty of Cape Town,” he said.

As for the runners who were mugged near Ocean View on Saturday while participating in the gruelling 100-mile trail event, the organisers said in a Facebook post: “The RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town organisers are aware of the incident involving participants in the 100-mile race taking place this weekend.”  

Race director Stuart MConnachie said: “The three runners are physically unharmed and have chosen to carry on with the race.”

According to the post, all runners who passed through the Simon’s Town checkpoint were informed of what had happened and the matter was handed to the police.