Belgian National Found Dead on Signal Hill, South Africans Raise Concerns About Tourists’ Safety
- The body of a 53-year-old Belgian national was found on Signal Hill, Cape Town on 2 February
- Police are investigating the cause of death, and are still to notify the man's family of his death
- While it hasn't been confirmed that the man was a victim of crime, citizens raised safety concerns
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has spent a decade reporting on the South African political landscape, crime and social issues
WESTERN CAPE – The discovery of a Belgian man’s body on Signal Hill has social media users expressing concern about safety at some of the country’s tourist attractions.
The body of the 53-year-old was found on the morning of Sunday, 2 February 2025. The cause of death has not been determined as yet.
Police investigating the tragic discovery
Western Cape Police Spokesperson Wesley Twigg confirmed that they opened an investigation following the discovery of the Belgian national’s body.
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“The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death,” he said.
He added that the man's identity would only be released once the family were notified. Despite no confirmation that the man was a victim of crime, social media users raised concerns.
Capt FC van Wyk later confirmed to Briefly News that there were no signs of could play, but investigations were continuing.
There have been numerous cases of tourists being attacked on some of Cape Town's mountains and hiking trails. On 23 January 2024, a mugger fell to his death after he tried to rob a group of people. On 27 December, a tourist shared his scary experience after he and a friend were robbed at knifepoint during a hike at Lion's Head.
South Africans concerned about tourists
The latest incident involving a tourist prompted social media users to raise red flags about tourists travelling alone at some of the province's mountains and hiking trails.
Chantal Candice Cupido Cornelissen asked:
“What was the Belgian man doing alone on Signal Hill? Weird🤫.”
Jenny Moon added:
“Signal Hill is not safe😕. Go in groups and explore beautiful Cape Town.”
Gloria Olisawoli Okon said:
“This news mush trend. Let the world know that tourists die in Cape Town and the government does not care.”
Naomi Kuipers Schulze stated:
“European tourists should not even think of coming to the viper's nest that SA has become.”
Victor Tuffy Kloke added:
“I keep advising foreign visitors not to visit SA due to safety and robberies. This beautiful country is no more the country we knew.”
Elisabeth Wenk said:
“Guest houses in South Africa should tell foreign tourists never to go to places on their own. Always have copies of their passports so they can leave their original ones in a safe place. They should not take a lot of money with them. Travel bureaus in any country in the world should warn their customers about South Africa not being safe. Especially when people think they going to have an adventurous holiday.”
Louise Jacobs stated:
“Don’t come to SA. We have got devils here.”
US hiker found dead on Devil's Peak
Briefly News also reported how the family of Brook Cheuvront were left devastated following the discovery of her body on Devil's Peak.
The United States youngster was in South Africa as part of an internship when she went missing on 21 September 2024.
Her body was discovered a day later on the mountain's slopes, and an inquest was opened into the cause of death.
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Source: Briefly News
