In a first for the organisation, three mountain rescuers from Search and Rescue South Africa (SARZA) were mugged after they completed a rescue on Lion’s Head on Sunday night.
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According to Search and Rescue South Africa chair Mike Muller, three officials responded to a callout of an injured hiker on Lion’s Head at about 8:20pm on Sunday.
‘After assisting the hiker, teams were stood down and the SARZA members walked down the trail towards the car park shortly after dark. They encountered a man walking up the trail and warned him against walking alone on the mountain at night due to a recent spate of crime-related incidents.’
Muller told EWN that the man acknowledged the rescuers and asked who they were. ‘As he passed the group, the unidentified man brandished a firearm and robbed the team of their belongings, including backpacks containing clothing and rescue equipment, their personal cell phones and their smartwatches.’
In a social media statement, SARZA said it was ‘deeply shocked’ by this attack on volunteer personnel.
‘The first of its kind in the Cape as far as we are aware. We condemn this act of violence in the strongest terms, as we do the attacks on our fellow EMS crews.’
‘The SARZA team is comprised solely of volunteers and all clothing and equipment is supplied at their own cost. SARZA will reach out to sponsors and partner organisations to assist with replacing the items that were stolen.’
Should residents wish to assist with replacing these items or support SARZA’s operations, contact [email protected] or make a donation via the BackaBuddy campaign here.
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Picture: Pexels