Cape Town danger areas

[guidodg]

was there some kind of knife attack on a trail runner on Table Mnt yesterday?

[Organic]

56 minutes ago, guidodg said:

was there some kind of knife attack on a trail runner on Table Mnt yesterday?

https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/very-lucky-to-be-alive-cape-town-trail-runner-fights-back-during-knife-attack-on-signal-hill-20240621

[guidodg]

5 minutes ago, Organic said:

https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/very-lucky-to-be-alive-cape-town-trail-runner-fights-back-during-knife-attack-on-signal-hill-20240621

yup, saw the headline but am not paying News24 to read their amateurish editorials😜

[Organic]

10 minutes ago, guidodg said:

yup, saw the headline but am not paying News24 to read their amateurish editorials😜

Looks like it was a while ago (13 June):  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=970994535029827&set=a.515487680580517&type=3&_rdr

[ChrisF]

1 hour ago, Organic said:

Looks like it was a while ago (13 June):  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=970994535029827&set=a.515487680580517&type=3&_rdr

 

News24 is making a habit of publishing news long after it has doen the rounds on various other platforms.

 

We have a subscription to News24, but all too often I see news alsewhere long before it on there web page.

[nonky]

4 hours ago, Organic said:

https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/very-lucky-to-be-alive-cape-town-trail-runner-fights-back-during-knife-attack-on-signal-hill-20240621

For those who can't get past the news24 firewall:

https://www.2oceansvibe.com/2024/06/21/trail-runner-lucky-to-be-alive-after-knife-attack-on-signal-hill/

 

Trail Runner ‘Lucky To Be Alive’ After Knife Attack On Signal Hill

Read more: https://www.2oceansvibe.com/2024/06/21/trail-runner-lucky-to-be-alive-after-knife-attack-on-signal-hill/#ixzz8dmax1lEC

A Cape Town trail runner sustained several injuries when he fought back against two men who accosted him while running along Signal Hill.

Gardens local, Barry Smit, managed to rough up his attackers badly enough to scare them off, injuring his knee in the process.

“I put up a fight as best I could. I am just very lucky to be alive,” says Smit. “I was running along the footpath when suddenly these two guys with big knives jumped out of the bushes.”

Smit said a scuffle broke out as he tried to get one of them off of him.

“They made no threats or demands. I’m not entirely sure what they actually wanted, but they definitely were up to no good.”

“We tumbled and wrestled for about 20m down a slope of dead branches, and we eventually came to a stop. It was at this point I was able to pin him down with my right hand around his throat and put him into submission,” Smit said.

Smit says the attacker’s partner was above the pair, but ran off when he saw his buddy was getting roughed up.

“He begged me not to hurt him or break parts of his body when I had him held against a massive tree.”

“For some reason, I managed to take his shoes off and threw them in different directions. I think I was trying to make him as vulnerable as possible before I let him go,” Smit said.

After he let the attacker go, he realised his leg was badly injured and managed to get himself to the nearest Mediclinic facility.

Smit says that just before the attack he ran past a ‘dodgy looking guy’ who might have been a lookout for the thugs hoping to rob a cyclist or runner. Despite hearing about several incidents on the slopes of the mountain last year, Smit says he did not think it would ever happen to him.

“I don’t know where the strength came from, but I was not going to let anything fatal happen to me, so I put up a fight as best I could.

“I am just very lucky to be alive.”

Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said officers from Cape Town Central police station were investigating a robbery case.

“Initiatives such as awareness campaigns and integrated operations are conducted to provide a safe and secure environment for all inhabitants and visitors in and around Cape Town.

“We appeal to everyone who uses the mountain to walk in groups and to report incidents to the police,” said Twigg.

SANParks also cautioned visitors to remain vigilant at all times and report suspicious activities on 086 110 6417.

It’s still a jungle out there folks, take care of yourselves.

Read more: https://www.2oceansvibe.com/2024/06/21/trail-runner-lucky-to-be-alive-after-knife-attack-on-signal-hill/#ixzz8dmasDdEL

 

[Jan D]

On 6/19/2024 at 9:24 AM, BuffsVintageBikes said:

We found a body at the entrance to the mtb trail a few months back as well, also stabbed and shot.

Which trail was this?

[BuffsVintageBikes]

29 minutes ago, Jan D said:

Which trail was this?

Bottelary Hills trails, at the entrance to the trail opposite Haasendal Wine Farm.

[The Ouzo]

1 hour ago, nonky said:

“Initiatives such as awareness campaigns and integrated operations are conducted to provide a safe and secure environment for all inhabitants and visitors in and around Cape Town.

“We appeal to everyone who uses the mountain to walk in groups and to report incidents to the police,” said Twigg.

SANParks also cautioned visitors to remain vigilant at all times and report suspicious activities on 086 110 6417.

This does not say to me " We are trying everything we can to stop this nonsense" , it rather says to me "we are passing the buck to you to keep safe"

[ChrisF]

8 minutes ago, The Ouzo said:

This does not say to me " We are trying everything we can to stop this nonsense" , it rather says to me "we are passing the buck to you to keep safe"

 

WELL said !!!  .... unfortunately ....

 

 

 

Was just reading an article on News24 about the kidnappings on Franschhoek pass, as well as one in Stellenbosch.

 

"We urge people to not ride alone..."

"Dont ride during quiet times..."

 

Dammit .... it is so easy to police that pass !!!!!!!!!!  But rather stop visitors from coming to Franschhoek. YES, I AM a visitor when I cycle there and stop to support the local businesses.

 

kook my bloed nou sommer .... bl!ks3ms ....

 

 

 

PS - Apparently the police did arrest one suspect.

Edited June 21, 2024 by ChrisF

[nonky]

11 minutes ago, The Ouzo said:

This does not say to me " We are trying everything we can to stop this nonsense" , it rather says to me "we are passing the buck to you to keep safe"

Unfortunately, you are 100% correct.

I have engaged with the ratepayers / residents association (GP); and with both ward councillors (sea point and green point) -  the usual answer is that they have no jurisdiction over table mountain and cannot do anything. 

Local residents and private security do SH clean-ups from time to time but there's little more that they can do.    

To be fair, the homelessness problem along the Atlantic Seaboard is overwhelming the available resources and, for the most part, they do NOT want to be helped (rehab, shelter, halfway house etc). 

[ChrisF]

8 minutes ago, nonky said:

...... and, for the most part, they do NOT want to be helped (rehab, shelter, halfway house etc). 

 

THIS is where my sympathy dries up ....

 

We were involved with one of these projects last year, one of the rehab facilities.  "Eye opener" does not begin describe it.

 

 

Say no to help .... then attack people in the name of poverty .... Uhhhmmmmm .... 

[Mattman]

Hoping this is the most appropriate thread. 
 

Thinking of moving to Klapmuts (southern Paarl/ northern Stellenbosch) to an estate near Piggly Wiggly. Does anyone know how safe it is to cycle to the various trails around the area, namely spice route and Paarl mountain, and then the trails at Knorhoek and Boschendal? 
 

anyone aware of issues with the Klapmuts low cost/ informal settlement close by?

[Spirog]

1 hour ago, ChrisF said:

 

THIS is where my sympathy dries up ....

 

We were involved with one of these projects last year, one of the rehab facilities.  "Eye opener" does not begin describe it.

 

 

Say no to help .... then attack people in the name of poverty .... Uhhhmmmmm .... 

Perhaps another perspective of the homeless issue might be useful... 

Watch it. Don't watch it...

Use it. Don't use it...

[ChrisF]

44 minutes ago, Mattman said:

Hoping this is the most appropriate thread. 
 

Thinking of moving to Klapmuts (southern Paarl/ northern Stellenbosch) to an estate near Piggly Wiggly. Does anyone know how safe it is to cycle to the various trails around the area, namely spice route and Paarl mountain, and then the trails at Knorhoek and Boschendal? 
 

anyone aware of issues with the Klapmuts low cost/ informal settlement close by?

 

Most of my longer rides pass through Klapmuts.

 

Never had issues with the people.

 

Just super careful and alert around Potbelly !!!   Lots of serious accidents at the entry to Potbelly.

 

 

 

LOTS of cyclists in this area, both road and MTB. 

 

Enjoy 👍

[firewolf]

Another cyclist doored.  Apx. 30 min ago. Beach Rd and St John's Sea Point South bound. Taken to hospital. Adult male. ( all I can say)