Bill Stewart Nature Reserve flagged as crime hotspot
Reports of robberies, stolen fencing and cable theft spark safety concerns among residents.
A concerned resident has raised issues around criminal activity at the Bill Stewart Municipal Nature Reserve.
Nico Ntuli is a Primrose-born resident who works in Bedfordview and therefore passes through the reserve on his way home or to work. Ntuli described the area as “a hotspot for criminal activity”.
“Workers and visitors report being robbed, assaulted, and having their belongings taken on the mountain.
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“Recently, thieves have been targeting electrical cables on the mountain, stripping them for copper and leaving the area unsafe,” said Ntuli.
He added that the mountain’s perimeter fence had been stolen, making it easier for criminals to access the area and for incidents like house robberies and break-ins to occur.
He said residents were concerned about security and needed solutions to make the mountain safe again. Ntuli revealed that the top of the mountain, approaching from Primrose, is extremely dark at night due to non-functioning street lights.
He also pointed out that deep within the mountain there is a makeshift shelter where alleged robbers hide after targeting people. The site is reported to contain numerous SIM cards and remnants of cellphones.
Ntuli himself shared that he was once a victim of a cellphone robbery when he went home late, passing through the mountain.
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The resident also revealed that at times, smoke can be seen on the mountain as cable thieves burn cables to extract copper.
• Reinstall and secure the perimeter fence.
• Increase police or security patrols on the mountain.
• Install surveillance to deter cable theft. • Conduct community awareness campaigns about safety.
The Bedfordview CPF shared that the forum participated in a clean-up of the Bill Stewart Nature Reserve on March 21, with cooperation from various other organisations.
Bedfordview Edenvale News also requested comment from the City of Ekurhuleni by 09:00 on Monday, March 23. At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.
