Klapperkop Access Control - If you ride here read this!

[L46]

I have stayed clear of the area earlier this year but after returning there the last few weekends I did note some improvement with guards at the gates, security companies patrolling and improved fences.

 

Fact of the matter is one can never assume that it will be entirely safe (riding anywhere for that matter) so be vigilant at all times and stick to riding in groups or to times when you know there will be other cyclists/runners around.  I never go off-road at Klapperkop either.

 

Big thanks to the guys of the security companies putting patrol vehicles there on Saturday mornings.  (Think they are called Hi-Risk).  

[Rick Sanchez]

There was an attack on a young lady taking photos at the viewpoint by the tower late in the afternoon on 8 May, and then another report of some sort of attack on the night of 18 May but details of that are sketchy and it sounds like it was some guys who were drinking there at night that got attacked.

 

So nothing very recently on cyclists. I ride there frequently on the road either before or after work and there are always other cyclists around and I havent had any problems. I wouldn't go off the road and onto the trails on my own though, especially not on the Northern side.

 

 

We have 6 Nature conservation personnel patrolling the road in Klapperkop from 7-17:00, which ha made the road during these times considerably safer, However, as Paul has stated there have been two attacks but the attack on the young lady is of major concern as it shows that the criminals are adapting to the security efforts as the attacker presented himself as a municipal worker. The two guys drinking were reckless in that the were at the radio tower late at night despite the notoriety of the area.

 

These two events are being dealt with in terms of future safety efforts in that the patrols are going to be kitted out in unique clothing as opposed to the normal municipal overalls and the reserve is going to be closed off at night. The latter part is the key in that the reserve would be a controlled access and its only after this happens that I would be confident to tackle the trails again. Unfortunately, the process to close the reserve off has slowed down largely because of the admin required to do so. The good news is that I noticed today that the fencing is being improved along the southern portion of the R21.

 

 

I thought council bought into the idea. What other admin is still required?

 

 

I have stayed clear of the area earlier this year but after returning there the last few weekends I did note some improvement with guards at the gates, security companies patrolling and improved fences.

 

Fact of the matter is one can never assume that it will be entirely safe (riding anywhere for that matter) so be vigilant at all times and stick to riding in groups or to times when you know there will be other cyclists/runners around.  I never go off-road at Klapperkop either.

 

Big thanks to the guys of the security companies putting patrol vehicles there on Saturday mornings.  (Think they are called Hi-Risk).  

Thanks for the update. It really is a shame that it is still not safe enough to ride the trails, as I have done so in the past and really enjoyed it. Hopefully this will change in the near future.

 

Thanks to all involved in trying to make it a safer place

[River Rat]

I thought council bought into the idea. What other admin is still required?

You're right but they need to go through a public consultation process and a traffic count including at night. It would seem that while I was away on Sabie Experience and Sani2c that we've lost a bit of momentum, it's time  to be unpleasant again.

[bertusras]

It's been a good year 

 

 

Some of you might not be aware but there has been seven robberies on Klapperkop at night over the past month . The good news regarding the safety situation in Klapperkop reserveis that Nature Conservation is currently applying to TMPD to temporarily close Klapperkop at night over the past month. Should they be successful it means the reserve will be closed from 19:00 to 5:00. So please be aware of this if you intend going to or through the reserve. I have no idea when this would happen but it is urgent. Please note that while it is within the Metro Police Chief's powers to close a road if he deems it to be unsafe which is clearly the case. However this is only a temporary measure. A permanent closure application is being prepared and but community support for this is vital. I will be asking you for your support in this regard in due course.

 

 

Do you have any further info on this, River Rat?