Bail will be opposed for mountain arsonist

Four separate areas on the slopes of Table Mountain were set alight on Tuesday April 3.

A 28-year-old man was arrested for arson after setting fire to four separate areas on the slopes of Table Mountain on Tuesday April 3.

The alleged arsonist was spotted from helicopters controlling the fires.

Constable Edwin George at Cape Town Central police station was on duty just after noon when he and Table Mountain Rangers were alerted. The team chased the man as he tried to escape, and when he was caught, he was found to be in possession of a yellow Shoprite carrier bag holding two 750ml beer bottles, filled with petrol and covered with a blue cloth.

Cape Town Central police station’s spokesman, Captain Ezra October, said the man was initially held at Cape Town Central police station on arson charges. 

“He will be kept in custody until we have more information and know his reasons for doing this,” he said.

Yesterday, Wednesday April 4, Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, said the the man will appear in the Cape Town Magistrates Court today, and confirmed that he had been moved to Pollsmoor Prison while his bail application is prepared.

“Bail will be opposed,” he said. “The City of Cape Town SSII unit together with the Watching Briefs will shadow investigate with Saps and monitor this matter.”