Welcome to the website of the Western Cape Division of the Four Wheel Drive Club of Southern Africa, a family orientated recreational 4×4 club that supports and enjoy responsible off-road driving. We are involved in family four wheel driving, driver education and emergency search & rescue operations. We are an off-roading club based in the Western Cape area run by our members and an elected Committee. Become a member and our club is your club where we will do our best to meet your needs.
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Photos from Wilderness Search And Rescue WSAR Western Cape's post
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Photos from Wilderness Search And Rescue WSAR Western Cape's post
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SARZA rescuers attacked
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It is with heavy hearts that we report that three volunteers belonging to the SARZA Cape team were held at gunpoint after assisting an injured hiker on Sunday, 12 November 2023.
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The incident took place at approximately 20:20, after the team had responded to the Lion’s Head hiking trail as part of a Wilderness Search and Rescue (WSAR) operation to assist an injured hiker.
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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.
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The man thanked them for the information and acknowledged them for being part of a search and rescue team. 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.
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The SARZA family is deeply shocked by this attack on volunteer rescue 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.
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We urge wilderness users to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement authorities on 021 480 7700.
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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.
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Should you wish to assist with replacing these items or support SARZA’s rescue operations, please contact us directly at cape@sarza.org.za or make a donation via our BackaBuddy campaign www.backabuddy.co.za/sarza-cape-2023 or SnapScan.
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SARZA – Cape
SARZA
Wilderness Search And Rescue WSAR Western Cape
City of Cape Town
Garmin SA
Petzl
Osprey South Africa
#searchandrescue #volunteers #Crime #vigilance #wilderness #support
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