Keeping you safe on Melville Koppies Central

There have been recent reports of security problems on Melville Koppies. However, Melville Koppies itself is vast. Stretching across 165 hectares, it includes Melville Koppies West, East and Central.

“Melville Koppies West has the security issues,” said Wendy Carstens, chairperson of the volunteer Melville Koppies Management Committee that manages Melville Koppies East and West.

Melville Koppies West, the part of the Koppies adjacent to Westpark Cemetery and Westdene, is 100 hectares in size, is a public open space, accessible 24/7 and managed by JCPZ. Melville Koppies East is a 10-hectare section of the Koppies open during daylight hours and accessible both from Melville and Emmarentia. Melville Koppies Central (MK Central) is 55 hectares and encompasses the Nature Reserve and Heritage Site.

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This section is only open on Sunday mornings between 8am and 11.30am. This is also the section of the Koppies on which hikes take place. The entrance fee for the hikes are R80 for adult and R40 for children.

All income received is used for maintenance and security. Mid-week tours can be arranged.

“As a precaution and to keep visitors to MK Central safe, the volunteer Melville Koppies Management Committee employs Beagle Watch Security and our security-trained conservation worker while JCPZ’s one daily security guard also assists,” said Carstens. “Visitors can also park in secure parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park in Judith Road, Emmarentia.”

For more information contact wendavid@mweb.co.za or visit the website.

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