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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.

There were reports of multiple muggings and incidents in Groenkloof Nature Reserve earlier in the year. Does anyone know if something was done about it? I haven't read about any more incidents. Does anyone here frequent the reserve?

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

Request for community support To the Friends of Groenkloof Nature Reserve (FGNR), people who love the incredible nature we have been blessed with in the Groenkloof, Klapperkop and the Voortrekker Monument Nature Reserves, and those of us who would like to see our children inherit these natural assets as well. I attended the Groenkloof Public Meeting on 10 May. From a personal perspective, this meeting was much more than a gripe session about security issues in our area. It was a meeting that gave me hope! For the first time I really witnessed what politicians always call "the community” - come together en masse - to firmly state that we won’t allow our natural assets to be squandered by poor management, crime, bad policing, and hopelessly uncoordinated actions between different stakeholder groups. I saw "the community” which it must be emphasised, included all races, unite around the issue of protecting the Groenkloof, Klapperkop and the Voortrekker Monument Nature Reserves.I saw what impact a few concerned community members can have, to bring about change. In this regard, I would like to thank Rob King and Robrecht Tryhou in particular for their efforts and for mobilizing so many of us to take a firm stance. As Rob indicated in his feedback report, the brave victims of the recent crimes stood up at the meeting to convey the impact these attacks have had on their lives - not to put a spotlight on themselves, but to convey in no uncertain terms what will happen if the current situation perpetuates. Taschia Slabbert, a teacher from Kempton Park, had saved for many, many years to buy a high end Canon camera that cost her R33,000, to participate in photography competitions. She went with her mom to Groenkloof to take pictures for an upcoming nature photography competition, when she and her mom was brutally robbed and assaulted. She relayed how Eric Tishoko put his life on the line to chase the criminals away and in so doing prevent the rape that the criminals had clearly contemplated. We heard from Nadine Hugo, a 22-year old medical student, who was cycling at the beautiful surrounds of the Voortrekker Monument Nature Reserve, when she was brutally relieved of her mountain bike. She suffered permanent damage to her hand. Nadine would love to put the ordeal behind her and get back on a mountain bike, but doesn’t have the funds for a replacement.Saloshani Pather pointed out the hopelessly flawed processes to report crimes to the senior SAPS members who were in attendance. Well done Saloshani! As I was quietly listening to these stories, I remembered the famous quote by Edmund Burke: “All that is required for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing.” At the conclusion of the meeting, as people were preparing to leave, I was compelled to stand up to request that we - the community - do something together as a visible sign of our solidarity. I could think of nothing better than for us to contribute towards a fund for the victims to replace what they had lost. With this, I would like to appeal to everyone who attended, and for everyone who wants to take a stand, to make a contribution so that at least Taschia can get a new camera, and Nadine can get a new mountain bike. It doesn’t matter how big or small the contribution is - what matters is that we do this together. If we raise more than we need, lets keep the fund going for the victims of other crimes in our are and our community. Sadly, today there was another attack and we will assess whether any support is required as well. Personally, I have contributed R5,000 as I promised at the meeting. Even MMC Subesh Pillay agreed in the meeting that the City of Tswane will also contribute. If you feel compelled to join in, please consider making a deposit to the following bank account: Account name: Friends of Groenkloof Nature Reserve Account no: 620 4620 4830 Bank: First National Bank Branch: Brooklyn Branch code: 251345 Reference: Victims Fund Please email confirmation of payment to rtryhou@icon.co.za. I conclude this heartfelt plea for support with a reminder of the words of Desmond Tutu: “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” With much thanks and appreciation to the community, Louis Geeringh

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

"A plan for a massive development inside the Groenkloof Nature Reserve has surfaced." http://rekordeast.co.za/81210/the-end-of-groenkloof-nature-reserve

Hi People I lost a Giant Double Action Mini Pump at Groenkloof today http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.co.za/giant-double-action-mini-pump.html#.UyyMkfmSyN0 . If you find it please let me know thanks...