CoCT's Smith calls for forensic probe into recent fires
City of Cape Town's safety and security head, JP Smith, said that he suspects arsonists may be responsible.
A view of the fire in the Table Mountain National Park on 25 February 2025. Picture: SANParks - Table Mountain National Park/Facebook
CAPE TOWN - The City of Cape Town's safety and security head, JP Smith, is calling for a forensic investigation into the cause of the recent fires in Cape Town.
In a video report about the fires on Facebook, he detailed how and when the infernos started.
The first fire was reported on Sunday along the mountain range above Newlands.
A second one was reported close to Red Hill near Simon's Town.
Smith said that he suspects arsonists may be responsible.
"Earlier in the day, a large-scale fire was reportedly burning close to Red Hill informal settlement once more, and our spotter plane, which was already in the air, diverted its course to give us clear visuals. It was at this point that we became suspicious as the evidence showed the fire was started alongside the road."
Smith said that another fire started near a different highway.
"Again, just after 2am, a fire was started in the vegetation closer to the roadway of the M5 near Black River Parkway."