Wannabe

Please make sure to send an email to liz@pedalpower.org.za. with the SAPS case number and a clear explanation of what transpired.

Yesterday morning two Durbanville cyclists narrowly avoided a hijacking at this bridge when the two perps could not cross the road fast enough to get to them. Both perps had their hoodies drawn over their faces and at least one had a bottle in his hand. I've heard unconfirmed reports of at least three other cyclists who were not as lucky and fell victim to the robbers. One person reported that whilst at the Woodstock SAPS, they could locate the phone at the shacks at the bridge, only to be told by the SAPS member it was too dangerous to go there, and that there are too many fields around. I mean WTF, this is not on........

But it's not. You are legally allowed to cycle on that stretch. The muggers are only adding that extra danger to an already sketchy piece of road, which is sad to say, safer than the dedicated cycling route.

And with that new monstrosity called the Phesantekraal Mall that is being built on the Wellington/Malmesbury rd, we are going to be hamstrung even more. Feel like we are being encircled and all our previously safe (read relatively car free routes) are being eroded at an ever-faster pace. As soon as they've developed all the available land on this side, Koeberg rd./D'Urbanvale is going to be next.

There was a lot of indignity and anger/resentment due to the spate of attacks and apparent lack of action on the authority's side. It just needed to be brought under the attention of the right decision makers. Looks like we got a bit of attention and traction here, so let's try and keep it going, less it peters out over the holiday period. (the criminals are not going to go away on holiday though) Keep the pressure on without getting rude or too aggressive towards the persons who reacted and got involved with trying to resolve this situation. They are also only a cog in the wheel and has protocols to follow. We can easily lose their sympathy or willingness to assist if we rub them up the wrong way. I would suggest we keep the following people honest in their efforts to resolve this issue as they are the ones who responded to my mails and got the ball rolling. Keep any mails to them civil....... 1) Firhana.Sam@transnet.net 2) liz@pedalpower.org.za 3) Louis.Cason@capetown.gov.za The following ones could be cc'd into any mails send to the above. 1) bcreecy@parliament.gov.za 2) alan.winde@westerncape.gov.za 3) mayor.mayor@capetown.gov.za

Thanks for the kind words, Nick and Morne. There was a lot of indignity and anger/resentment due to the spate of attacks and apparent lack of action on the authority's side. It just needed to be brought under the attention of the right decision makers. Looks like we got a bit of attention and traction here, so let's try and keep it going, less it peters out over the holiday period. (the criminals are not going to go away on holiday though) Keep the pressure on without getting rude or too aggressive towards the persons who reacted and got involved with trying to resolve this situation. They are also only a cog in the wheel and has protocols to follow. We can easily lose their sympathy or willingness to assist if we rub them up the wrong way. I would suggest we keep the following people honest in their efforts to resolve this issue as they are the ones who responded to my mails and got the ball rolling. Keep any mails to them civil....... 1) Firhana.Sam@transnet.net 2) liz@pedalpower.org.za 3) Louis.Cason@capetown.gov.za The following ones could be cc'd into any mails send to the above. 1) bcreecy@parliament.gov.za 2) alan.winde@westerncape.gov.za 3) mayor.mayor@capetown.gov.za

Received communication from Transnet, they are also hard at work to resolve this issue, and any and all info they get will help strengthen their case in their application for the eviction of the illegal squatters on their land. So please, share it wide with anyone who was attacked along this stretch at any time, to send it to liz@pedalpower.org.za with the SAPS case number. She will then forward it to the relevant role players.

Received communication from Transnet, they are also hard at work to resolve this issue, and any and all info they get will help strengthen their case in their application for the eviction of the illegal squatters on their land. So please, share it wide with anyone who was attacked along this stretch at any time, to send it to liz@pedalpower.org.za with the SAPS case number. She will then forward it to the relevant role players.

Please send your case # to Liz, they are trying to get all the role players around the table to try and get this situation under control.

Could all the riders who got mugged at Woodstock Bridge please send the SAPS case numbers to Liz Heydra @ Liz@pedalpower.org.za as she is busy compiling a report/list to send to the MEC Mobility. Thank you.

Could all the riders who got mugged at Woodstock Bridge please send the SAPS case numbers to Liz Heydra @ Liz@pedalpower.org.za as she is busy compiling a report/list to send to the MEC Mobility. Thank you.

Could all the riders who got mugged at Woodstock Bridge please send the case numbers to Liz Heydra @ Liz@pedalpower.org.za as she is busy compiling a report/list to send to the MEC Mobility. Thank you.

Great, with you as an actual victim it will carry a bit more weight.

Louis Cason is from JP Smith's office. He has been active in replying to my mails, and informing me of his correspondence with the two Government entities, Dep of Transport and Transnet.

Ok, looks like the nest was stirred a bit (for now at least) Got cc'd in to mails from PPA office and JP Smith's office with each other, and to Minister Creecy's office and Transnet. We must just keep them warm.

At least this Gentleman responds with more positive information. Good day Minister Creecy’s office and Transnet Management My name is Louis Cason, I’m a ESO in the office of Ald JP Smith. Please see below and please find attached emails our office received in regard to the continued illegal occupation on the Transnet and PRASA land adjacent the Woodstock and the N1. Cyclists are being attacked on an almost daily basis, Business owners adjacent to the railway is closing their doors due to on-going crime, Albert Road has become a crime hotspot and daily your infrastructure is being stripped for scrap. Urgent action is needed from both PRASA and Transnet to clear and secure this section of land. Would it please be possible to advise if any progress have been made on an eviction application?

Excuse my ignorance, but what has Willie's passing to do with a Chris Willemse bicycle? CW is alive and well, surely, he will be the best person to speak to.

At least she was quick in replying, kudos to her. "Good morning ***** From the PPA side, I have been in contact with the City of Cape Town, MEC Mobility and others on a regular basis since the muggings along this area flared up again. We have also offered to erect signage to warn cyclists not to enter this area. SAPS in the area is patrolling but as you know the criminals are now striking when there are shift changes. I am now liaising with the MEC Transport and we hope to find a solution soon. I understand your frustration but know we are putting pressure on the authorities. Yours in cycling, Liz Heydra"

I did mail Liz and Info@ppa this morning, let's see what response I get. I'll quickly include fahiema in my mail.

Anyone got contact details for the esteemed Chairman of the PPA? I think he/she should be included in this matter. I included Wesley Carr in my mail to Winde, JP Smith, Geordin Hill Lewis and others on the 14th of Nove. I still have to get even an acknowledgement from him. He is noted on the PPA website as the contact for "Safe Cycling Enquiries"

We need to bombard all the role players with a constant stream of e-mails, including the Honorable Minister Barbara Greecy. I will add their e-mails again. 1) mayor.mayor@capetown.gov.za 2) jean-pierre.smith@capetown.gov.za 3) alan.winde@westerncape.gov.za 4) wesley@pedalpower.org.za (useless to mail them, does not reply) 5) Louis.Cason@capetown.gov.za 6) TransportMinistry@dot.gov.za (Barbara Greecy) 7) Avril.Stephens@capetown.gov.za

Northern Suburbs, nobody but Irma @Irmfit.

Good day ***** Please see below for your attention: Kind Regards Avril Stephens Administrative Officer 1: Support Services (S&S) Safety and Security 12th Floor, 2 Bay, Civic Centre, 12, Hertzog Boulevard, Cape Town Tel: 0214447015 | Email: Avril.Stephens@capetown.gov.za | Web: www.capetown.gov.za

Hello ***** The below is what I could find online: TransportMinistry@dot.gov.za info@dot.gov.za I was thinking over the weekend that a change.org petition or something similar could work. The penguin activists has a good system as well where people can automatically email the relevant minister that might work. https://www.africanpenguinnotonourwatch.org/email-the-minister That section is a priority for the Mayor so legal and our officials must give him feedback on a continuous basis of progress so we are trying but unless they evict we will always sit with the problem. Thank you Louis

Hello ***** My name is Louis Cason, I’m a ESO in the office of Ald JP Smith. City enforcement is working very closely with Woodstock SAPS to conduct joint operations on the illegal occupants on a frequent basis, we have also started to do joint operations with Home affairs in the area and the City’s legal team is engaging Transnet and PRASA on a frequent basis to push them towards an eviction. The City has offered them similar assistance to the Castle but we legally cannot evict them on the behalf of National Government. They are occupying PRASA (railway land) and Transnet land (next to N1 & Lower Church) because of the close proximity to the harbour and the endless amount of scrap they can strip from the trains, fences and dilapidated buildings in the area. The cycling community can really help by using their considerable reach to pressure Minister Barbara Creecy to initiate the eviction, clear their erven and put measures in place to secure them. I will escalate the below to both legal and our senior management. Regards Louis Cason Executive Support Officer – Councillor Support Safety & Security Directorate Office of Mayoral Committee Member Ald JP Smith 6th Floor, Podium Block, Civic Center, 12 Hertzog Boulevard. Cape Town Cellphone: 072 9377 265 Phone: 021 400 3677 Email: louis.cason@capetown.gov.za Web: www.capetown.gov.za