Western Cape Police confirmed on Thursday that the body of an adult man was recovered on Table Mountain after a search by members of SAPS and Wilderness Search and Rescue teams. Authorities said the discovery relates to a missing-person case registered at Cape Town Central SAPS on Wednesday.
Search activated after hiker failed to respond
Police said a 46-year-old man, identified as Wayne Barnard, was reported missing following his last known contact from Table Mountain at about 11:05 on Wednesday morning. According to Missing Person South Africa, Barnard shared his location and a photograph at that time; his phone later became unreachable, prompting family and police to seek urgent information.
Members of SAPS together with Wilderness Search and Rescue were mobilised to mount a search on the mountain. The body located on Thursday is believed to be Barnard’s, police added, but formal identification by family is still being carried out in cooperation with investigators.
Procedures launched: inquest and postmortem
An inquest was registered following the recovery, and a postmortem examination will determine the cause of death, police said. Investigation of circumstances surrounding the incident remains ongoing while family members complete the identification process.
- Missing person reported: Case opened at Cape Town Central SAPS on Wednesday.
- Last known contact: Approx. 11:05 on Wednesday, location shared from Table Mountain.
- Recovery: Body located by SAPS and Wilderness Search and Rescue teams on Thursday.
- Next steps: Formal identification by family and a postmortem to establish cause of death; inquest registered.
Table Mountain: popular but hazardous
Table Mountain is a heavily visited public landmark and draws hikers of varied experience. While many ascents are completed without incident, the mountain's steep terrain, variable weather and isolated routes can create hazards. Search-and-rescue operations on the mountain are complex and often require specialised teams with experience in cliff rescues and wilderness navigation.
Wilderness Search and Rescue volunteers frequently work alongside SAPS to respond to missing-person reports and injuries on the mountain. Police did not provide details on the route Barnard was taking or the precise location where the body was found.
What authorities have said
Police Captain F.C. van Wyk confirmed the recovery and said the body is believed to be that of the missing man, subject to family confirmation. The Cape Town Central SAPS docket will guide further inquiries as the postmortem report becomes available.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Wednesday | Wayne Barnard last made contact from Table Mountain at about 11:05; phone later unreachable. Missing-person case opened at Cape Town Central SAPS. |
| Thursday | Body of an adult man located on Table Mountain by SAPS and Wilderness Search and Rescue teams. Body believed to be Barnard's; family to formally identify. Inquest registered; postmortem pending. |
Practical information for hikers
As investigations continue, authorities urge the public to observe safety measures when hiking in the Cape Town mountains:
- Tell someone your route and expected return time.
- Carry a fully charged phone and a map or GPS device; consider a personal locator beacon if going into remote routes.
- Check weather forecasts and avoid exposed trails in poor conditions.
- Hike with companions where possible, and keep to marked paths.
Further updates will be provided by police once formal identification is complete and the postmortem results are available. The recovery and ongoing inquiry are reminders of the risks posed by outdoor activities in rugged terrain, even on familiar local landmarks.
Reporting: Western Cape Police; Missing Person South Africa; Cape Town Central SAPS.
