Panga Attack on Wannabee trails in Somerset West

[Pall Catt]

 

As I was saying in another thread.  Seems to have been a pretty bad weekend.  Now this incident and also heard of an attempted bike jacking in the east of Pretoria as well.

 

Schocking 

 

Any more info about the Pretoria incident? That's my hood and I often ride with just my girlfriend and like to know about areas to avoid.

[Bateleur1]

Any more info about the Pretoria incident? That's my hood and I often ride with just my girlfriend and like to know about areas to avoid.

 

Sorry, no more details.  My sister was going to forward me the details.  She forgot to send it.  I just enquired and she does not have it on her anymore.  Apologies.

[Slowbee]

Heard on there facebook that two separate incidents happened this morning.

 

One was two kids and the other 3 guys. Both groups were armed with knives. The kids attacked two guys riding together.

 

Both happened towards the cell towers.

 

Luckily both cases the cyclists got away unharmed.

so the cell phone towers is no longer safe to ride, even if in a group.

 

also heard about a cyclist attacked on Hels Hoogte.

 

I know there have been stone throwing incidents at cyclists, but anyone know anything more?

[lerouc]

so the cell phone towers is no longer safe to ride, even if in a group.

 

also heard about a cyclist attacked on Hels Hoogte.

 

I know there have been stone throwing incidents at cyclists, but anyone know anything more?

 

The problem is if you want to ride on the route to somerbosch or from somerbosch back to lord charles you have to ride past cell tower.

[Serious Panda]

so the cell phone towers is no longer safe to ride, even if in a group.

 

I was approached by 3 people, 2 of them kids of about 13-15 years old, while riding on the trails last week. The 2 kids were on bicycles. I knew of the danger and I was already on the gas in that area to avoid a possible attack, it was about 50m before the spot where an attack took place a few days before. They approached me, trying to get my attention, but they never got close to me.

 

I feel they might live on one of these farms or close by, they were strolling around casually as if they were not out of place at all, with no fear of being seen.

 

Edit: It seems these thugs are moving around in the area and these attacks are not confined to a single spot. There have been a few attempts by them now and they got nothing for it. They might become more desperate.

[dev null]

The problem is if you want to ride on the route to somerbosch or from somerbosch back to lord charles you have to ride past cell tower.

 

Yes, cell tower is pretty much central to 90% of the routes.

[lerouc]

I was approached by 3 people, 2 of them kids of about 13-15 years old, while riding on the trails last week. The 2 kids were on bicycles. I knew of the danger and I was already on the gas in that area to avoid a possible attack, it was about 50m before the spot where an attack took place a few days before. They approached me, trying to get my attention, but they never got close to me.

 

I feel they might live on one of these farms or close by, they were strolling around casually as if they were not out of place at all, with no fear of being seen.

 

Edit: It seems these thugs are moving around in the area and these attacks are not confined to a single spot. There have been a few attempts by them now and they got nothing for it. They might become more desperate.

 

Could you maybe point out on a map or give gps coordinates of where this was?

 

My problem is i am not a fast rider, and I ride (used to) alot alone there.

[Serious Panda]

Could you maybe point out on a map or give gps coordinates of where this was?

 

My problem is i am not a fast rider, and I ride (used to) alot alone there.

 

It was in the middle of this map, at the right-left just after Atties Maze on the way up.. Zoom out a bit to get your bearings. But like I said these attacks are not bound to 1 spot. If you have to ride alone be aware of who is in the area and beware of any areas that is good for hiding away = bushes right next to the trail.

 

https://www.google.co.za/maps/@-34.028412,18.7847416,118m/data=!3m1!1e3

[lerouc]

I saw that someone was relieved of his bicycle, iphone and iwatch on saturday on the trails.

[dev null]

That's it. No way I am renewing my Wannabee membership until this is sorted out.

 

Sorry, but this just upsets me so much. The whole situation escalated so much after the construction work. Now the word is out that stupid whiteys are riding with iPhone 7s alone on the farms. 

[Piston ZA]

That's it. No way I am renewing my Wannabee membership until this is sorted out.

 

Sorry, but this just upsets me so much. The whole situation escalated so much after the construction work. Now the word is out that stupid whiteys are riding with iPhone 7s alone on the farms. 

Agreed, I will also not be renewing my membership. Pisses me off big time.

[dev null]

It would seem that somebody finally took some action, and that the buggers were arrested.

 

 

Suspects arrested

Five robbers from Macassar and Blackheath were arrested after an operation led by police on Wednesday, 9 November 2016. It is believed that the robbers can be linked to robberies and other serious crimes that were committed in the general area of the Waterworks area in Faure, Somerset West.

The latest incident reported on Monday, 7 November 2016 just after 21:00. A police officer (dressed in civilian clothes and a unmarked vehicle) was robbed of his personal belongings while performing monitoring duties in the vicinity of the water works. The trio threatened the officer with knives and fled the scene on foot.

Armed with sufficient information an operation was executed which led to the arrest of 5 suspects. The other 2 suspects were arrested for a hijacking, rape and possession of drugs.

Station Commander Colonel Mary Ann Williams congratulated the members on the swift arrest and state that the public should still avoid visiting the area alone especially during night times. The 5 suspects are expected to appear soon in the Somerset West Magistrate court on counts of hijacking, rape, robbery with a weapon other than a firearm and possession of drugs.

We salute all the Somerset West SAPS members who helped arrest these suspects who have been attacking local mountain bike riders.

[(Deon)]

"robbery with a weapon other than a firearm"

 

I've always wondered whether the bit in bold is really necessary, especially if it leads to a reduced sentence..

[dev null]

"robbery with a weapon other than a firearm"

 

I've always wondered whether the bit in bold is really necessary, especially if it leads to a reduced sentence..

 

Yes, if somehow a firearm will make you more dead than a panga. To the victim, the imminent threat of death is the same.

[Patchelicious]

"robbery with a weapon other than a firearm"

 

I've always wondered whether the bit in bold is really necessary, especially if it leads to a reduced sentence..

 

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view6/20140110/4949134/fire-arm-o.gif

[Capcha]

Im glad for this but why does it take a police offer to be robbed before any action is taken. Surely all the robberies, bikejacks etc the unfortunate people who were robbed went straight to the police to make cases? Or am I missing something?