Mugging on N1, 1 December 2024 6am

[ChrisF]

22 minutes ago, Wannabe said:

Anyone got contact details for the esteemed Chairman of the PPA? I think he/she should be included in this matter.

I included Wesley Carr in my mail to Winde, JP Smith, Geordin Hill Lewis and others on the 14th of Nove. I still have to get even an acknowledgement from him. He is noted on the PPA website as the contact for "Safe Cycling Enquiries"

 

 

Here are a couple of addresses ...

 

liz@pedalpower.org.za

 

fahiema@pedalpower.org.za

 

info@pedalpower.org.za

[Wannabe]

I did mail Liz and Info@ppa this morning, let's see what response I get.

I'll quickly include fahiema in my mail.

 

[Wannabe]

At least she was quick in replying, kudos to her.

"Good morning ***** 

From the PPA side, I have been in contact with the City of Cape Town, MEC Mobility and others on a regular basis since the muggings along this area flared up again. We have also offered to erect signage to warn cyclists not to enter this area.  SAPS in the area is patrolling but as you know the criminals are now striking when there are shift changes. 

I am now liaising with the MEC Transport and we hope to find a solution soon. I understand your frustration but know we are putting pressure on the authorities.

Yours in cycling, 

Liz Heydra"

 

[Skubarra]

1 hour ago, Robbie Stewart said:

You know what I'm saying.
Go out and commit a crime, and see how far you get with not being prosecuted. I'd say pretty far. Then go online and do a "Penny Sparrow" and try make it to Friday. 

That's all I'm saying. People are being prosecuted for easily prosecutable offences because no-one has to actually "do" anything.

Tongue-in-the-cheek Robbie...

Certainly not suggesting its acceptable to call for violence online

But at the same token very sceptic that this is the type of thing that will actually get you prosecuted  (unless you add a few racist slurs for flavour)

Anyway, lets not digress -  @Robbie Grant very frustrating and angry to hear about your experience and the indifference of politicians, seems the only thing that will get some reaction is more people dying on that spot 😢

[IceCreamMan]

very sad to read that, heal up and take time to get the mind right. I still have flashbacks being held at gunpoint while on a 04:30 run more than 8 years ago. 
 

Impossible to effectively police this kind of crime. It’s not a crime problem as much as a societal problem so catching a thief is farting against thunder. ZA has societal issues that require remedy and that’s unlikely to happen in our lifetimes. 
 

that said, your choices are simple, remove yourself from the situation and don’t cycle there or as you say cycle in large groups. Both not 100% guarantees. 
 

good luck. 

[Wannabe]

At least this Gentleman responds with more positive information.

 

Good day Minister Creecy’s office and Transnet Management 

My name is Louis Cason, I’m a ESO in the office of Ald JP Smith. 

Please see below and please find attached emails our office received in regard to the continued illegal occupation on the Transnet and PRASA land adjacent the Woodstock and the N1. 

Cyclists are being attacked on an almost daily basis, Business owners adjacent to the railway is closing their doors due to on-going crime, Albert Road has become a crime hotspot and daily your infrastructure is being stripped for scrap. 

Urgent action is needed from both PRASA and Transnet to clear and secure this section of land. 

Would it please be possible to advise if any progress have been made on an eviction application?

[Robbie Stewart]

13 minutes ago, Skubarra said:

Tongue-in-the-cheek Robbie...

Certainly not suggesting its acceptable to call for violence online

But at the same token very sceptic that this is the type of thing that will actually get you prosecuted  (unless you add a few racist slurs for flavour)

Anyway, lets not digress -  @Robbie Grant very frustrating and angry to hear about your experience and the indifference of politicians, seems the only thing that will get some reaction is more people dying on that spot 😢

I hear you, and I also think online policing is a far reach extending into the realm of freedom of speech and all that, but according to the news article I read this morning, that was in fact prosecuted here in SA for someone calling for violence against the foreigners in SA during the xenophobia attacks. The person plead guilty and paid a 10k fine to avoid jail time.

As far as more people dying before we get some reaction that is something I hope never happens. I pray our leaders responsible to deal with this mess wake up before that becomes a reality.

I attend the same church as our mayor. Next time I see him I will see if he can have a quick chat.

[Pandatron]

3 minutes ago, Wannabe said:

At least this Gentleman responds with more positive information.

 

Good day Minister Creecy’s office and Transnet Management 

My name is Louis Cason, I’m a ESO in the office of Ald JP Smith. 

Please see below and please find attached emails our office received in regard to the continued illegal occupation on the Transnet and PRASA land adjacent the Woodstock and the N1. 

Cyclists are being attacked on an almost daily basis, Business owners adjacent to the railway is closing their doors due to on-going crime, Albert Road has become a crime hotspot and daily your infrastructure is being stripped for scrap. 

Urgent action is needed from both PRASA and Transnet to clear and secure this section of land. 

Would it please be possible to advise if any progress have been made on an eviction application?

Urgent action from Prasa and Transnet... more luck in building a new route

 

[NotSoBigBen]

But it's ok to sing .... 🤬 Beter ek bly net stil

[Wannabe]

Ok, looks like the nest was stirred a bit (for now at least) 

Got cc'd in to mails from PPA office and JP Smith's office with each other, and to Minister Creecy's office and Transnet.

We must just keep them warm.

[cadenceblur]

4 minutes ago, Wannabe said:

Ok, looks like the nest was stirred a bit (for now at least) 

Got cc'd in to mails from PPA office and JP Smith's office with each other, and to Minister Creecy's office and Transnet.

We must just keep them warm.

received same

[Andreas_187]

I drove over Woodstock bridge in my car and was shocked to see the state of that whole section. Surely it is safer to cycle straight past the castle?

[Wannabe]

2 hours ago, Robbie Grant said:

ive just emailed all parties and added some other words  LOL being polite . i dont want to sleep with one eye open

Great, with you as an actual victim it will carry a bit more weight. 

[splat]

28 minutes ago, Andreas_187 said:

I drove over Woodstock bridge in my car and was shocked to see the state of that whole section. Surely it is safer to cycle straight past the castle?

Yes, have reverted to that gauntlet.
That Gympie Street section used to be the problem, which shifted people to the N1. And then the bike lane was built and now we are back to Main Rd again.
Options are limited !

The Castle area has been cleared and fenced off, but there is still the bridge to get under before you get there...

[Robbie Stewart]

Is the N1 viable until the road beneath the elevated freeway at all? I rode that once in April. The only scare I had was when one of those container trucks passed by very close to me, but it was also a public holiday so the traffic was less on the day.

[splat]

22 minutes ago, Robbie Stewart said:

Is the N1 viable until the road beneath the elevated freeway at all? I rode that once in April. The only scare I had was when one of those container trucks passed by very close to me, but it was also a public holiday so the traffic was less on the day.

That section is fine, but you have to under this problematic Church Street bridge to get there if you are coming from Milnerton side.
If you are coming from Southern Suburbs, you need to go over the bridge. Also a problem.