The Nature Reserve a gateway for criminal

JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – Concerned residents are accusing relevant authorities of being more effective in passing the buck where the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve security is concerned, instead of effectively beefing up crime deterring measures.

The news of a housebreaking and another attempted break-in incidents at two different homes positioned opposite the Nature Reserve, on the same street in Suideroord, have sparked questions by home owners on whether the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve Association (KNRA) and City Parks are taking security patrols inside the reserve seriously. The criminals are suspected of gaining access to these homes by using the Nature Reserve as a gateway.

“For a long time now residents have complained about housebreakings by people suspected to be gaining entry from the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve,” said Mondeor SAPS Sergeant Andrews. “However, of all housebreaking incidents at the homes surrounding the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, from November 25 to December 2, only one incident of housebreaking has been reported.”

”When the CHRONICLE contacted a representative of the KNRA, Mr Edwards, he explained that “We are in touch with Mondeor Community Policing Forum and the council concerning the crime incidents, the security of the reserve is not our responsibility, it’s City Parks’ responsibility.

Although the KNRA web site clearly states on their aims and objectives section that they aim to keep the community and public at large informed of all matters of significance relating to the reserve and to promote and encourage sustainable utilisation of the reserve by the local community, the public at large, tourists and other users, for recreational, leisure and educational purposes; they cannot ensure the safety of the public at large.

On August 8 an article was published in the CHRONICLE about homes near the Nature Reserve being targeted by criminals. The article reported on a house robbery incident resulted in the theft of R120 000 worth of household goods.

Sector 2 Community Policing Forum member, Tom Botha explained that there isn’t much that can be done by their forum as the issue of the damaged wire fencing, which criminals use to go in and out of the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve allowing access into residents’ homes, is the problem of City Parks.

“What City Parks has to do is put up fencing where there is no fencing and repair it where it has been damaged,” he said.

City Parks responds: Joburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) is aware of the issues in and around the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve. As this is a public open space we are unable to question the intent of visitors to the reserve, however, we have noted that the criminal activity affecting the area occurs during evening hours after we have secured the area through the illegal entering of the reserve. The reserve spans an area of over 700 hectares and is currently sporadically patrolled through a collaborated effort by members of the Park Rangers, JMPD as well as Mondeor SAPS. We have several initiatives in place to increase the patrols and security visibility in the area including fencing repairs and the installation of new fencing as well as blitz clean-up operations that have seen several arrests being made. Other initiatives in the pipeline include securing additional personnel to ensure increased patrols are possible to assist in limiting illegal access to the reserve, especially after hours. In case of emergency, members of the public are urged to contact the JMPD’s emergency line on 011 375 5911.