A horrific attack unfolded on the lower slopes of Signal Hill in Cape Town on Friday, 26 December, in an incident that has raised fresh concerns about visitor safety within the Table Mountain National Park.
According to information shared by the Take Back Our Mountains community group, a woman was attacked above the Noon Gun area, while her dog was stabbed to death during the incident.
The woman survived the attack, but the extent of her injuries has not yet been confirmed.
According to sources, the assailant has been described as a young man wearing black trousers with visible blue and white striped underpants.
Residents and visitors have been urged to avoid the area for the time being.
Call for CCTV footage
The community group has appealed to residents and businesses in surrounding areas to review any available camera footage taken between 16:00 and 18:00 that may assist investigators in catching the suspect.
“This applies especially to residents along Military Road toward Green Point and the lower slopes of Signal Hill,” the group said.
“Any relevant information or footage could be crucial.”
At the time of publication, official confirmation from the South African Police Service (SAPS) had not yet been issued.
A City law enforcement officer told The South African that the victim had reported the case at the Central SAPS station.
‘Victim was incoherent’
According to a source at the scene, the victim was visibly distraught and overwhelmed by grief after the loss of her dog.
“When we caught up with the woman she was incoherent with grief, we could get nothing out of her.”
“I think Metro Police arrived and she couldn’t even point them in the right direction.”
“After the attack she had made her way up to the boom by the Appleton Scout Camp. We think the attacker had gone over towards the Noon Gun from the Bo-Kaap side.”
Second attack on Signal Hill this week
The attack comes just days after a multi-agency response resulted in the arrest of two suspects linked to a reported mugging on Signal Hill on Tuesday, 23 December.
Once the men were located and arrested, they were found in possession of knives and two cellphones they were unable to account for.
