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There has been a lot of effort in terms of sorting out of the security at Klapperkop and we seem to have this under control thanks to the efforts of various security companies. There is currently an effort underway to start clearing the trails and a Strava segment named Fortgetmenot was cleared on Saturday but it is far too technical for most and I can't see anymore effort going into this segment down the line. However, although quite short 660m at (-10.5%) it could make a great Enduro route with a bit of TLC. Anyone interested in taking up the project?

First some good news it’s quite pleasing to report that we have no reported incidents in the Klapperkop reserve since August last year which suggests that the efforts of the community, The Friends of Groenkloof Nature Reserve (FGNR), the Community Policing Forum (CPF) and last but not least Hi Risk Security Unit are paying dividends. However, I need to emphasise the word reported as there are unconfirmed rumours of a bike jacking in the reserve during December last yea,r I have tried to get details but without success. The only definitive statement I can make is that if, it did occur it was not reported at the relevant police station, which sadly is the case with many of the incidents. I appeal to anyone who might be on the wrong side of an incident, please take the time (and I know it to be one of the most painstaking exercises) to report it. The reason for this is that SAPS runs on statistics so, if a specific area has a certain number of incidents then SAPS allocate resources to that area. I also know that the SAPS reporting procedure feels like it’s designed to make reporting difficult perhaps to reduce the negative stats. Now for some bad news there were two attacks on cyclists over the past 6 months that occurred on the periphery of the reserve, one on the R21 and the other on George Storrar drive both close to the fountains circle. The good news is that the cyclist that was attacked on the R21 through his own efforts and with the assistance of the Brooklyn Police (who are currently out performing Sunnyside Police by some margin) caught the alleged perpetrators who are now awaiting trial for attempted murder. This was a particularly brave move on behalf of the cyclist who while convalescing having been stabbed several times took it upon himself to question the vendors selling their wares at fountains circle to see if the saw anything. It was their information and the persistence of the cyclist to take the investigating officer to the area to get the alleged perpetrators arrested. Unfortunately the news regarding Groenkloof is not positive at all with numerous attacks on cyclists and hikers being reported. The most recent was indeed one of the guys on our WhatsApp group and he used this medium to get Hi Risk to respond and to their credit they were there in minutes unfortunately not quick enough to catch the perpetrators as they made off with his brand new Carbon Cannondale (the full report of the incident is on FGNR’s facebook page) escaping into the squatter camp below Unisa. It is important to note that these incidents are occurring in the northern triangle of the Groenkloof reserve and if you do ride in Groenkloof I suggest you avoid riding in this section of the park. Based on the Councils poor response to the above incident and their intransigence regarding some of the suggestions made to make Groenkloof safer I would go further in suggesting that you should avoid Groenkloof all together. This feels like we are giving up on Groenkloof, this is not the case as we can do something but we need the council to work with us and I guess things will have to get worse before we get their attention. In the meantime statistics would suggest that Klapperkop is the safer option and it’s free with great trails. I have noticed that there is increased activity in Klapperkop with a few people still cycling on their own and I urge you to make use of the WhatsApp group to coordinate your rides with other users. The WhatsApp number is 072 136 2911 otherwise drop me a PM to get you on to the group, you will be subjected to a security check of sorts. Further to keep Klapperkop safe we need to up our efforts which will require funding and if you can make a donation please go to http://naturefriends.org.za/groenkloof/ where you’ll find the banking details. We have some ideas on fund raising that I will share with you in due course. Please be safe out there.

The safety and security system at Klapperkop although very haphazrd has had some postive effects in that the spate of muggings has stopped since the gates have been closed at night and access controlled during the day. The unintended consequences are that house break ins have spiked as criminals shift their focus, we are addressing this with Nature Conservation and the adjacent estates to improve day and night time security. Another aspect is that we are denied access to the reserve for early morning and evening training. Officially the open times are from 7am to 5pm but I am exploring a technical solution that would allow access to paid members from 5am to 7pm. To gauge the viability of this I need to get an indication on whether you would be prepared to pay an annual fee and how much. So if you would like to use Fort Klapperkop please indicate your preference in the poll in terms of an annual fee. I am doing this on various groups so please only particpate once.

I have just been informed that Klapperkop Nature Reserve will be closed from 17h30 in the evening until 07h00 in the morning. Anyone wishing to enter the reserve when it is open will be required to produce identification and sign in when they enter the reserve and sign out when they leave. If you urgently need to access the reserve when closed please use the number on the sign to contact the authorities. I am working with the authorities to see if we can extend the opening hours and to provide access cards for easier access.

As many of you know we have had an increase in crime within the Klapperkop reserve and although we, as the community, have in the past been able to curb this to some extent, what we are now facing is beyond the capacity of the community to control. We have have had numerous meetings with the Council of Tshwane and the solution proposed by Metro Police is to control access to the reserve and to provide regular patrols within the reserve, at the same time insure that the fences are maintained at all times. At a recent public meeting with council officials it has become clear that council, due to budget allocations ( read admin problems) are unable to give effect to this proposal. As an interim measure the Friends of Groenkloof Nature Reserve (FGNR) has offered to fund this process on the express undertaking that Nature Conservation do the following: - NC to provide staff (ie. from Groenkloof NR) to man the access control at the two entrances and do active feet patrols of the reserve - NC to inspect and repair the fences every morning - Council to try their best to make sure the R450k as promised by the RED’s is spent on Klapperkop security - NC, as soon as funds are available, improve the fences to provide for additional security. Especially near Fountain Circle. - NC to maintain the Klapperkop MTB trails and build additional MTB trails on Klapperkop What I would like to do is to test your feelings about the implementation of this and in particular the entry process. So, if you are a regular user of the reserve you can expect the following ( I estimate that we're looking at the beginning of March) when you arrive at the reserve. - There will be a boomed gate that will only allow you access in daylight hours. (the intention is to close the reserve after sunset) - You will be required to sign in at the gate ( we are contemplating whether you need to produce some form of ID). - You will be issued with an entry permit that you need to produce when asked to do so and hand it back to the guard at the gate when you leave the reserve. Okay so here are the issues that could affect you 1. The reserve is closed at night. 2. You have to sign in. 3. You may be asked to produce your permit on request. I know there will be many of you that believe this plan is not going far enough but from my point of view it is a start and rest assured we will be asking for more over time. We are also looking at providing annual entry permits for FGNR members but more about this later. So I need your thoughts about this but please don't just shoot it down without offering a solid alternative.

Many of you know that the safety situation in Groenkloof has deteriorated to the extent that there is a de facto boycott of the reserve. This situation cannot continue and we have to do something before this area is lost to us. The first step is to get a meeting with the council I can't do this as an individual so I need your support hence this petition. We have through our ward councilors requested a meeting some weeks ago and since then we have had two separate attacks with no date set for a meeting. I have every intention of pressurizing the council through the gathering of support for this petition. I hope that once we have a date we will have a public meeting where we can air or concerns and demand that the authorities take action, at worst a group ride in Groenkloof is in the offing. https://www.change.org/p/the-mayor-of-tshwane-metropolitan-council-make-groenkloof-nature-reserve-safe-now?recruiter=449380642&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_for_starters_page&utm_term=des-lg-no_src-no_msg&fb_ref=Default

Many of you may have read some really heartening recent reports of the successful arrests of the alleged perpetrators of the most recent attacks in the Groenkloof Nature Reserve. It is heartening from two perspectives firstly that the potential criminal numbers have been reduced, albeit by two. Secondly the Tshwane Metro deem it important to at least show us, the public, that they are doing something. Unfortunately, the Tshwane Metro fail to recognize the crux of the issue namely that the attacks occurred despite their renewed efforts. To tell a victim of a mugging and an attempted rape that the alleged perpetrators have been arrested does not remove the trauma and damaged suffered. We need to know that we are safe in the reserve period, it must be impossible for anyone with ill intent to enter this reserve. We have so many positives going for this initiative, we have over 3000 signatures, we have the attention of the council and we have procured a public meeting with them. Our next target to make sure that council step up their initiative to make the patrons of the reserve safe from attacks and we need to hold them accountable for this. This means that attendance at tomorrow's meeting is vital, council needs to see a hall overflowing with concerned citizens who are prepared to look them in the eye and demand action. You need to be there. 10th May 2016; 18:30 NG Church; Groenkloof. 75 Van Wouw street Pretoria

So you’re driving down the R21, the year is 2032, with the magnificent UNISA building towering over the gateway to our country’s capital. Your Grandson looking to his left at the derelict shacks ruining the vista as desperate people are trying to eke out a living in an area with no infrastructure, no water and refuse lying everywhere, you have to keep the windows shut or else the smell of raw sewerage will overcome your senses. “Grandpa, why are these people living in such a bad place”? “Actually, my boy this was not always a bad place this used to be a nature reserve called Groenkloof and if look on the other side of the road you will see what used to be another old nature reserve called Klapperkop”. “What’s a nature reserve Grandpa?” “My boy many years ago we used to set aside areas in our busy city where we allowed nature to flourish in harmony with the people of the city. In fact we used to enjoy weekends and public holidays there as we used hike, run and mountain bike amongst Giraffes, wildebeest, Ostriches and Sable it was a magical place, your dad used to train here for his first Sani2c race, while your mom hiked with her sister, you were but twinkle in their eye!” “Grandpa, I’d like to walk amongst the animals”. “I’m sorry my boy but there are no more animals there and it is not a safe place” you say as you activate your cars central locking glancing nervously over your shoulder. “Grandpa, what happened, where are the animals”? “My boy they’re all gone we were forced out of the area by criminals and they killed all the animals”. “Grandpa, I like giraffes could you not stop the criminals from killing them” you can see the tears of disappointment welling up in his eyes. “My boy, we tried, we signed a petition to get the mayor to do something about the safety in the area but very few attended the meeting with the city council, and they did not think it that important”. “Grandpa, did you attend the meeting”? You take your time to respond as you feel the tears welling up in your own eyes. “I’m sorry my boy but I was too busy that day…..” Or “Grandpa, Grandpa! me and my dad are going to ride our bikes next to the giraffes and zebras”. “That’s great my boy and if you’re lucky you might see the Sable and beware of the Ostriches they are quite aggressive this time of the year because they’re protecting their newly hatched chicks”. “Grandpa, how do you know when an Ostrich is cross?” “My boy look at their shins they are red and they flap their wings a lot”. “Grandpa, I’m scared of the Ostriches” “Don’t worry my boy your dad has ridden here for years and he knows the Ostriches of this reserve well, you just listen to your dad and you’ll be fine. Now off you go and enjoy your ride”. You watch your grandson jump on his bike in pursuit of his father as you contemplate what could have been, had you not signed that petition, had you not attended that meeting and had the council not heard the persistent cry of the community. That was the day you know you took your city back from the criminals. That was the day good strong people said we will claim what is ours and what belongs to our children. That was the day the elected officials of the council joined hands with the community and drew a line in the sand…… So what will be your story? Can you say I signed the petition? Can you say I was at the meeting? The choice is yours. The Petition: https://www.change.org/p/the-mayor-of-tshwane-metropolitan-council-make-groenkloof-nature-reserve-safe-now/ The meeting: Date: Tuesday, 10 May 2016 Time: 18h30 Venue: NG CHRUCH, GROENKLOOF, RECEPTION HALL, VAN WOUW STREET NR 75, GROENKLOOF

In his state of the city address the Mayor of Tshwane announced today that Fort Klapperkop has been identified as the site for the new parliament. This is will be a blow to all users of this proclaimed nature reserve it looks like our public meeting has got a lot more interesting so if you haven't signed the petition and you are concerned about the area maybe this will prompt you. https://www.change.org/p/the-mayor-of-tshwane-metropolitan-council-make-groenkloof-nature-reserve-safe-now

At the end of August I met up with Warrant Officer Richard Lourens while he was patrolling Klapperkop Reserve on horseback. Obviously I was pleased that SAPS were heeding our call for more visible policing of the reserve so I took the time out to have a chat with him.It transpired that he owned a mountain bike but was struggling to get going and was hoping to join a group to show him the ropes. However in his experience he found cyclist to be quite aloof and finding a group to ride with was proving to be quite difficult. Unfortunately he resided in the east of Pretoria and it was impractical for him to join up with my regular group so I took to social media and the PEMBI facebook page in particular asking if anyone was willing to assist Richard. Kobus Pretorius responded that he would contact Richard and I left it there. Today Richard was patrolling the reserve and I asked him how it was going with the cycling. Before he could answer the huge beaming smile on his face gave me the answer, clearly Kobus and I understand a group of mates got him going to the extent that he has invested R50k on a new Scott Dual Suspension and the Cullinan half marathon will be his first race. Thanks Kobus what we have now is a cyclist with the means and motivation who is committed to keeping the trails at Klapperkop safe. Somedays we are simply awesome!

For those of you who want to ride there here is a map.

My wife and I were out on a training ride on Klapperkop at around 10;30 this morning when the following happened. I was on my way up the hill having just turned at the guardhouse at the R21 and was about 500m ahead of my wife as always I kept glancing back to make sure that she was safe. I noticed that there was a another MTBiker some 500m behind her who had obviously just come from fountains circle. Knowing that there was another biker on the road gave me a bit of licence to continue knowing that she was relatively safe and having seen a police van parked at the Telkom Tower lookout point . After turning at the radio tower she told me that shots were fired while she was climbing up towards lookout between her and the other cyclist and she was concerned for the cyclists safety. I set off downhill and as I came around the corner there were six police vans parked across the road. I tried to enquire as to what was going on but none of the officers would engage with me, I recognised that they were busy with an operation and I got out of their way, standing to one side. The six police vans were soon joined by a police chopper searching the area between the hill climb, the R21 and George Storrar Road. After about 10 minutes one of the officers came across to chat to me and explained what had transpired. This officer approached the lookout on foot from the Fort side heading towards the lookout point, with his colleague waiting at the lookout point when he came across a guy dressed in old army browns hiding in the bushes just above the lookout point. When spotted the guy bolted and must ran between my wife and the other cyclist ( he did not mention any shots being fired) down the steep embankment into the area now being searched by the chopper. He showed me where these guys sit and observe and it is quite chilling to see how perfect their observation point is. They can watch the lookout point as well as the traffic coming from either direction and because of the natural depression it would be almost impossible to spot them. The area is strewn with plastic water bottles so clearly these guys spend a lot of time there watching us cycle up and down that hill. Unfortunately, I had to leave the area so I don't know whether the culprit was caught or not. It is evident from the resources thrown at what could only be described as the pursuit of a suspicious person, shows that the police are taking the recent incidents at Klapperkop very seriously. What struck me was the comment from the officer that pursuing the guy in that rugged terrain was difficult and when I suggested to him that had I known what was going on I would have gladly assisted in flushing him out on my MTBike. This led to a conversation around how we as patrons of Klapperkop could assist them and I am thinking along the lines of maybe joining up with the police in doing a sweep of the area in the near future. The officer was very enthusiastic at first but disengaged to join his colleagues in the search before we could work out the details. I am thinking of approaching the CPF to arrange something provided that I can get enough support from the cycling community and perhaps the running clubs that use Klapperkop. Anybody keen to join me?

2nd August 2015 14:00 at Monument Park Shopping Centre Guys the first step in taking back Klapperkop is taking place on Sunday organised by THe Monument Park Community Policing Forum. For those of you not yet on the WhatsApp group Sunday's operation is to start at The Monument Park Shopping centre and not Orion Street due to numbers. Still at 14:00 and my suggestion is that if you are a MTBiker is to bring your bike as it will give us more mobility in the park when we proceed through it. I appeal to all of you to recognise that this is an important first step to not only show a presence in Klapperkop but to also send a message to the authorities that we want to see some action. Remember politicians are driven by numbers so we need as many of you to attend as possible. WhatsApp Trish on 0721362911 to join the Fort Klapperkop Safety group so that you can be informed as to what's happening in our area