The City of Cape Town has condemned the vandalism of infrastructure along the Princess Vlei walking trail in Grassy Park.
Back in June, the new 4.23-kilometre trail was officially opened by the City following a R10.2 million investment. The trail notably features footbridges, boardwalks and seating areas.
According to the City, a group of suspects targeted one of the footbridges by removing its wooden slats. The act took place in the early hours of Monday morning, 30 June 2026.
Rangers caught the suspects in the act. This prompted the latter to flee the scene, leaving the slats in their wake.
A further investigation found that multiple signs on the trail were damaged, with one signboard left defaced. It’s unclear if the same group of suspects were responsible for this act.
Councillor Francine Higham, City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, condemned the vandalism of the newly opened trail.
“It is deeply disappointing that infrastructure at Princess Vlei has been targeted just weeks after this community facility was opened,” said Higham. “Our Recreation and Parks Department is doing what it can, within available resources, to maintain a security presence on site. But Princess Vlei is an open space and the trail is several kilometres long, so community vigilance is essential.”
She continued, “We strongly condemn such destruction and disregard for the collective efforts to ensure universal access to community facilities. The responsibility rests with each and every one of us to guard community assets for the enjoyment of all.”
The City urges members of the public who have any information to come forward and assist law enforcement in the matter. You can contact the City’s emergency number on 021 480 7700; alternatively, you can report crime and by-law offences anonymously, 24 hours a day, on 0800 110077.
In other news, thieves recently broke into Langa Library, robbed the facility and caused significant infrastructural damage, just weeks after undergoing renovations worth R600 000.
