South Africa: Table Mountain Muggings Prompt Call for Military Patrols

TABLE MOUNTAIN, CAPE TOWN HAS BECOME A MUGGERS PARADISE.

Letter to the Editor
Please print my letter,

The Little Red Whistle by Snowy Smith

TABLE MOUNTAIN, CAPE TOWN HAS BECOME A MUGGERS PARADISE.
Tourists are being Mugged every week, what a Disgrace.
The Local Authorities have come up with an absolutely brilliant idea, an ingenious solution; each Tourist on Table Mountain is given a cheap tiny red whistle to frighten off the knife wielding, gun wielding seasoned habitual criminals. The only problem is how do you blow the whistle with a Knife stuck in your chest?
Who is going to come running if you do actually manage to blow the whistle. When you phone the police they don’t come so blowing a whistle is going to be absolutely useless.
I suggest you throw some big rocks at him and push him over the edge. Make sure he is dead otherwise he is going to charge you with attacking him, trying to steal his knife, remember you are dealing with seasoned habitual criminals, mugging tourists is what they do every day for a living. The Black criminals are also terrible liars; he will also accuse you of swearing at him. Hike with no less than 3 hikers and carry a direct stream pepper spray. Hike with Mountain Club Members if possible.
The Mountain Club Members know exactly where the criminals are so how come the highly trained Police cannot find them. The Mountain Club Members should give the Police the GPS Coordinates. No that’s too complicated the red whistle perfect.
The ANC Government should make it compulsory for Every Law Abiding Citizen and all tourists to carry a red whistle, perfect. Nobody will ever get any sleep as the whistles will be going non stop. Maybe we should all go and blow these whistles outside President Thabo Mbeki‘s house or at Parliament.
I wonder which Member of Parliament will get the tender contract to supply the whistles? They can purchase millions of whistles from China at R1.00 each and sell them for R40.00 each and each person caught not carrying his whistle will be charged R500.00 or 6 months in Jail, what do you think? Sounds fair?

WATCH YOUR BACK,
GOOD LUCK,
Best Regards,

Snowy Smith
Senior Complaints Investigator
FAIR CIVIL LAW
Consumer Protection Guide (No Fear, No Favour)
FCL was founded in 1986.
FCL is a Consumer Watchdog Organisation.
The costs of FCL projects and services are met through
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E-mail:
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Cell: 082-964-8877

(Snowy Smith, Mountain Landscape Photographer,
Member of the Mountain Backpackers Club South Africa)

It’s time to tell the World.

Google:
Murder Crime Table Mountain Cape Town South Africa
Murder Crime South Africa
Murder White Genocide in South Africa
Genocide Farm Murder Crime South Africa
Boer Farm Murders
The Boer Genocide

Google “Snowy Smith”

15 muggings on Table Mountain South Africa in 14 days.
Also 55 MURDERS PER DAY in South Africa.
The police resources are being overwhelmed by the rise in crime.
South Africa’s military is needed to fight crime on Cape Town’s Table Mountain, the city authorities say.
The city’s tourism head Simon Grindrod said there had been 15 muggings on the mountain, one of South Africa’s most famous landmarks, in the past 14 days.
“Table Mountain is under attack. If the mountain is under attack, we are all under attack,” he told the BBC.
Last month, the tourism minister warned that high crime could deter visitors coming to the 2010 football World Cup.
The mountain which looms above Cape Town is one of the most iconic symbols of South Africa.
It draws thousands of tourists who come to walk and climb along its flanks, and many more who catch the cable car to the top.
There is increasing concern that the level of crime will deter tourism.
He said criminals were already using guerilla tactics by hiding in the forbidding terrain and the military were trained and equipped to deal with it.
“The military use this vast national park for training so they could step up patrols and join in with game rangers and police,” said Mr Grindrod, who is in charge of tourism for Cape Town’s mayor.
He said police resources are being overwhelmed by the rise in crime.
“Table Mountain is the second most popular icon after [Nelson] Mandela; it’s the spiritual heart of our city,” he said.
Cape Town may attract three million visitors per year by 2010, it is estimated.

Are the Tourists safe?
What do you think?

International Murder Rates:
Institute of Security Studies South Africa:

1. South Africa 59 per 100 000 people.
2. Colombia 58 per 100 000 people.
3. Jamaica 37 per 100 000 people.
4. Brazil 21 per 100 000 people.
5. Russia 21 per 100 000 people.
6. Zimbabwe 9 per 100 000 people.
7. USA 6 per 100 000 people.
8. Spain 3 per 100 000 people.
9. England & Wales 1 per 100 000 people.

South Africa, 55 murders per day is the crime capital of the world.
Since the 1990s, South Africa has developed a reputation for being “the crime capital of the world”.
More than 20 000 murders per year are committed.
More than 10 000 murders per year are never solved and that’s only murders.
What about Attempted Murder, Assault, Rape, Muggings, House Breakings, Hi Jacking, Fraud, Corruption, Corruption, Corruption, Corruption, Corruption etc. etc. etc.
What about the “organized killing sprees” and unspeakable atrocities being carried out against White Afrikaner farmers by Blacks. As of early 2006, more than 2,000 white farmers had been tortured and brutally murdered. It’s much worse than what happened in Zimbabwe.

Mr. Mbeki 1 MURDER is 1 TOO MANY.
20000 murders per year in South Africa is absolutely unacceptable.

Write to:
President Thabo Mbeki,
Private Bag X1000, Pretoria, South Africa, 0001.
Fax: 012-3238246.
Tell him your crime story.

Snowy, you\’ve got no credibility since you atarted your racist rants.

rainbow
You’ve got no credibility hiding behind your false name.
You must have enough guts to put your real name.

I put my name, address and phone number.

U.S. Embassy Crime Warning.
CRIME: visitors in South Africa, should be aware that criminal activity, often violent, occurs routinely. Notwithstanding government anti-crime efforts, violent crimes such as armed robbery, carjacking, mugging, “smash and grab” attacks on vehicles, and other incidents are regularly reported by visitors and resident Americans.
Visitors and residents are advised of ongoing criminal activity involving organized crime gangs targeting individuals at shopping centers and in particular at the OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg. Once a victim has been identified, he/she is followed back to his/her residence and robbed, usually at gunpoint, although the use of force is generally reserved for those offering some form of resistance. These gangs tend to target more “affluent” individuals, including people driving expensive cars, wearing eye-catching jewelry, flashing large amounts of cash, and/or making high-value purchases. Criminals also gravitate towards “soft” targets – people who appear preoccupied and do not pay attention to their immediate surroundings. Tourists are being targeted in a similar fashion at the airport. It appears some airport personnel may be involved in the activity, apparently tipping off criminals waiting outside the airport once tourists have declared valuables and cash.
Motorists are urged to be extremely cautious when approaching intersections and to hide bags, cell phones, and other valuables from view. Criminals are on the lookout for valuable items they can see through the car windows (see mention of “smash and grab” under traffic safety). Doors should be kept locked and windows rolled up at all times.
Crimes against property, such as carjacking, have often been accompanied by violent acts, including murder, when victims resist or are slow to respond to attackers’ demands. South Africa also has the highest incidence of reported rape in the world. Foreigners are not specifically targeted, but several have been the victims of rape. Victims of violent crime, especially rape, are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical attention, including antiretroviral therapy against HIV/AIDS. Questions about how to receive such treatment should be directed to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Criminal activity, such as assault, armed robbery, and theft is particularly high in areas surrounding many hotels and public transportation centers, especially in major cities. Theft of passports and other valuables is most likely to occur at airports, bus terminals, and train stations. A number of Americans have been mugged or violently attacked on commuter and metro trains, especially between Johannesburg and Pretoria. Several American travelers also reported theft of personal belongings after strangers whom they invited into their hotel drugged them. In at least one instance, an American died after being drugged and robbed in this manner.
There is a serious baggage pilferage problem at OR Tambo, Johannesburg and Cape Town International airports, particularly affecting travelers changing airlines and those flying on smaller airlines—passengers flying on major international carriers may not be affected to the same degree. Travelers are encouraged to secure their luggage with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approved locks, use an airport plastic wrapping service, and avoid placing electronics, jewelry, cameras or other valuables in checked luggage. Make an inventory of items in checked baggage to aid in claims processing if theft does occur.
In the Western Cape, police resources have been strained by continuing gang conflicts and vigilante violence in the Cape Flats area of Cape Town. Additionally, travelers should be aware that muggings have become common along many popular routes on Table Mountain, a prime tourist destination in Cape Town. Visitors to Table Mountain should be vigilant, hike in groups, and not carry valuables. Travelers may wish to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate before embarking on trips to this area.
Armed robbery of cash-in-transit vehicles and personnel occurs throughout South Africa and peaks during December and January due to the increase in cash flow from commercial stores to banks. These attacks have also included incidents at major malls and in large grocery stores. Individuals should raise their level of situational awareness while in the vicinity of cash-in-transit vehicles and personnel and should avoid areas where they are located to the maximum extent possible.
Credit card fraud, counterfeit U.S. currency, and various check-cashing scams are frequently reported. Do not accept “assistance” from anyone, or agree to assist others with ATM transactions. Travelers should try to avoid using ATMs after bank business hours or in remote locations. When giving your credit card to a store or restaurant employee for processing, do not let them take the card out of your sight. Visitors should also beware of telephone or email schemes, which attempt to win the confidence of an unsuspecting American who is persuaded either to provide privileged financial information or travel to South Africa to assist in a supposedly lucrative business venture.
To check on a business’s legitimacy while in the U.S., contact the International Trade Administration, Room 3317, Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, telephone: 1-800-USA-TRADE or 202-482-5149, fax: 202-482-5198. If you are abroad, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
See our information on Victims of Crime.
U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

55 MURDERS PER DAY IN SOUTH AFRICA
1 RAPE EVERY 17 SECONDS IN SOUTH AFRICA.
Are the Tourists safe in South Africa?
What do you think?

How do I know that these statistics are even correct? I am South African and find it hard to believe that this many murders or rapes are even been reported to authorities.

I am not racist but believe that perhaps its time for a white president to step in. It is obvious that the blacks that are poverty-stricken are not receiving help from their black government and all the whites get is blamed for everything. Why is the black SA government so corrupt? They don’t care about their own people, but only about lining their own pockets. Apartheid was run by the white government not white civilians and we are not all to blame for it. I grew up in apartheid and wish I could have prevented it.
But now in the present, are the black politicians doing what is necessary for the country? I am not always sure.

129 MURDERS PER DAY IN SOUTH AFRICA

“An Interpol report stated that the annual murder rate in South Africa is in fact twice the reported rate of 23,500 (47,000)”
Google: Murder, Crime, Genocide, South Africa.