Intensified safety and enforcement operations in Table Mountain National Park, in Cape Town, over the long weekend have resulted in seven arrests, as authorities clamp down on illegal activities in the protected area. South African National Parks said its rangers, working alongside K9 and specialised units, carried out coordinated operations across key hotspots within the park. SANParks spokesperson Peter Mbelengwa said the operations yielded "significant successes" through intelligence-driven interventions. He explained that a targeted night operation on 23 April in the park’s southern section focused on suspected abalone poaching camps. "During patrols between Smitswinkel and Black Rocks, K9 units successfully tracked suspects, leading to the apprehension of three individuals. A fourth suspect attempted to flee but was swiftly apprehended," he said. Mbelengwa added that while transporting the suspects to the local police station, officers identified and arrested two more individuals linked to abalone poaching. "All suspects were arrested, poaching equipment was confiscated, and the individuals were handed over to the South African Police Service for further processing," he said. In a separate incident, rangers and City Law Enforcement arrested a theft suspect at Lion's Head after stolen items were recovered from a parked vehicle. Another operation, prompted by a tip-off, led to the arrest of suspected fynbos poachers on Devil's Peak. "These successful operations highlight the continued vigilance and collaboration of enforcement teams in protecting visitors and conserving our natural heritage," Mbelengwa said.