Another attempted mugging- UCT

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

Eish, lucky no physical harm done

[DJR]

It is a bit of a mangled description of the location. The only rugby field anywhere near, is right next to the M3, on the lower bit of UCT Upper Campus. It has a foot / cycle path next to it, but that is a long way from Rhodes Memorial. Unless he meant  the "Rhodes Mem turn off" or "Rhodes Mem gate" or "Rhodes Mem road" ???

 

The UCT Campus is pretty safe nowadays because they have upped their own security quite substantially over the past few years with guards and cameras all over.

[DJR]

For the record, I'm moerig. This is my backyard and I don't like **** like this in my backyard. We use that area almost daily for commuting as well as a route onto the mountain.

[marko35s]

For the record, I'm moerig. This is my backyard and I don't like **** like this in my backyard. We use that area almost daily for commuting as well as a route onto the mountain.

Campus security have been informed, just waiting on more details to give them a better picture of what happened, where it started/finished etc.

[SteveFW]

Looks like it was lower down on the campus.  Rhodes Mem to blockhouse busy with all the normal cyclists, trail runners, hikers and dog walkers this am, no issues (except for a pine tree down over the track above Rhodes Mem).

[DJR]

Campus security have been informed, just waiting on more details to give them a better picture of what happened, where it started/finished etc.

It may be that campus security is scaled back at the moment because the exams are just about finished for the year? The whole of upper campus is quiet and there is none of the usual hustle and bustle.

[marko35s]

It may be that campus security is scaled back at the moment because the exams are just about finished for the year? The whole of upper campus is quiet and there is none of the usual hustle and bustle.

The short version is yes and no.

I got a little more info which is as follows - 

The event actually occurred at roughly 16.45 on Friday (not Saturday as seems to have been reported) while the rider was commuting home.

He was on the path that runs just below the UCT sports centre and the lower car park. He noticed an odd looking character lurking around the cars who then walked away up the pedestrian walkway that goes up to the sports hall. The rider carried on but noticed the guy jump from the walkway onto the rugby pitch (quite some drop by the way) and began to chase the rider, knife in hand.

And he was fast, very fast. It took the rider all the way to the Rhodes Memorial turn off to finally get a decent enough gap to feel safe.

Campus security have been informed and, this bit is laughable, are apparently concerned about the car park and have been paying special attention to it as there has been an average of three cars broken into there each day for a while now. And yet this happens...

Attacker was a male, dark complexion, short (possibly afro style) hair, medium height and slightly skinny build. Clothing was extremely dirty,  scruffy and ripped. Pants were possibly brown in colour and t-shirt was once white but very dirty.

Basically be alert around the sports center and car park area and keep an eye out for anybody that looks out of place.

[DJR]

The short version is yes and no.

I got a little more info which is as follows - 

The event actually occurred at roughly 16.45 on Friday (not Saturday as seems to have been reported) while the rider was commuting home.

He was on the path that runs just below the UCT sports centre and the lower car park. He noticed an odd looking character lurking around the cars who then walked away up the pedestrian walkway that goes up to the sports hall. The rider carried on but noticed the guy jump from the walkway onto the rugby pitch (quite some drop by the way) and began to chase the rider, knife in hand.

And he was fast, very fast. It took the rider all the way to the Rhodes Memorial turn off to finally get a decent enough gap to feel safe.

Campus security have been informed and, this bit is laughable, are apparently concerned about the car park and have been paying special attention to it as there has been an average of three cars broken into there each day for a while now. And yet this happens...

Attacker was a male, dark complexion, short (possibly afro style) hair, medium height and slightly skinny build. Clothing was extremely dirty,  scruffy and ripped. Pants were possibly brown in colour and t-shirt was once white but very dirty.

Basically be alert around the sports center and car park area and keep an eye out for anybody that looks out of place.

There is a character by that description that has been around the area for a looong time. Extremely dirty and clearly not altogether sane. Often seen doing odd things like talking to flowers or decorating himself with bits of greenery. UCT security should be able to find him without too much trouble. If it is the guy I'm thinking of, then he's probably just having another crazy episode. When was full moon?

[Nick_A]

I’ve been going to see a physio at the Sports Centre over the past month or 2 and was actually quite surprised at the amount of security by the lower parking lot. When I asked my physio she mentioned there’s not only been numerous car break ins over the past few months but also actual theft of cars from that lower parking lot and a few muggings. Definitely stay vigilant if heading that way.

[babse]

There is a character by that description that has been around the area for a looong time. Extremely dirty and clearly not altogether sane. Often seen doing odd things like talking to flowers or decorating himself with bits of greenery. UCT security should be able to find him without too much trouble. If it is the guy I'm thinking of, then he's probably just having another crazy episode. When was full moon?

yep, also know this exact character and too was chased by him yielding a knife on the footpath along the m3 between newlands forest and rhodes mem parking a few months ago.

 

I've seen him around numerous occasions as I ride this stretch twice a day.

[MarcW]

Hey guys, 

 

Thanks for putting this info out there. This was a big eye opener for me, I normally ride through the campus itself but on Friday I thought it would be cool to take a different route and hide from the wind a bit.  I unfortunately ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time in a secluded section - normally there are plenty of students / staff around but with exams being almost over there wasn't a soul and the wind was pumping so you couldn't hear unusual noises or a call for help. 

 

The person who came after me was up to no good, and seeking to commit a crime. He got within a meter or two of me and didn't stop running, from UCT Sports Center (with same crazy look in his eyes) till I lost sight of him around Rhodes Mem gate area - I was in a full sprint and this guy was scary fast. I kept going till the Sanparks office at Newlands Fire base where I alerted the rangers and called SAPS . 

 

The path next to the M3 is my standard commute route and its sad that we have to live in fear of what might be hiding around the next corner. Keep your eyes open and try mitigate your risks when riding anywhere alone! 

[MarcW]

yep, also know this exact character and too was chased by him yielding a knife on the footpath along the m3 between newlands forest and rhodes mem parking a few months ago.

 

I've seen him around numerous occasions as I ride this stretch twice a day.

 

Thinking about this now it could very well be the same guy. The previous times I have seen him he did not seem harmful or aggressive, which is why I had not thought of him. If he is unstable or under the influence of something it could very well account for the change in behaviour. 

[Hairy]

Hey guys, 

 

Thanks for putting this info out there. This was a big eye opener for me, I normally ride through the campus itself but on Friday I thought it would be cool to take a different route and hide from the wind a bit.  I unfortunately ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time in a secluded section - normally there are plenty of students / staff around but with exams being almost over there wasn't a soul and the wind was pumping so you couldn't hear unusual noises or a call for help. 

 

The person who came after me was up to no good, and seeking to commit a crime. He got within a meter or two of me and didn't stop running, from UCT Sports Center (with same crazy look in his eyes) till I lost sight of him around Rhodes Mem gate area - I was in a full sprint and this guy was scary fast. I kept going till the Sanparks office at Newlands Fire base where I alerted the rangers and called SAPS . 

 

The path next to the M3 is my standard commute route and its sad that we have to live in fear of what might be hiding around the next corner. Keep your eyes open and try mitigate your risks when riding anywhere alone! 

Sorry to hear you had to experience this ..... but on a slightly lighter note .... did you have Strava on?

 

[Gav1]

Thinking about this now it could very well be the same guy. The previous times I have seen him he did not seem harmful or aggressive, which is why I had not thought of him. If he is unstable or under the influence of something it could very well account for the change in behaviour. 

 

i think i know this dude as well.....saw him picking up stompies. even seen him 'gardening' on the side of the road too and once or twice sleeping under the bridge going down to newlands.

 

as mentioned he's not altogether okay up there but i agree with you.....he seemed 'harmless' and weak so never saw him as a threat. can't picture that dude being fast as well (but i've been dropped many times by folks who didnt look fast)

 

i commute to and from UCT daily so thanks for the heads-up. lots of security around but it's an open campus so we always need to be on the lookout. 

[Jewbacca]

Hey guys, 

 

Thanks for putting this info out there. This was a big eye opener for me, I normally ride through the campus itself but on Friday I thought it would be cool to take a different route and hide from the wind a bit.  I unfortunately ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time in a secluded section - normally there are plenty of students / staff around but with exams being almost over there wasn't a soul and the wind was pumping so you couldn't hear unusual noises or a call for help. 

 

The person who came after me was up to no good, and seeking to commit a crime. He got within a meter or two of me and didn't stop running, from UCT Sports Center (with same crazy look in his eyes) till I lost sight of him around Rhodes Mem gate area - I was in a full sprint and this guy was scary fast. I kept going till the Sanparks office at Newlands Fire base where I alerted the rangers and called SAPS . 

 

The path next to the M3 is my standard commute route and its sad that we have to live in fear of what might be hiding around the next corner. Keep your eyes open and try mitigate your risks when riding anywhere alone! 

Geez Tugger.... Glad you survived and all is Wells...... (shows himself out)