Another cyclist attacked at Fort Klapperkop
Community representative warns against false sense of security.
Yet another cyclist has been attacked, beaten and robbed at Fort Klapperkop in Centurion.
Community representative Rob King said the man was attacked around 09:30 on Saturday morning while cycling on the MTB trails near the R21.
A thief apparently approached the cyclist before hitting him over the head, apparently with a steel pipe.
The thief then grabbed the bike and made off with it.
The man was in a coma for a day, but had since awaken and was recovering in hospital.
The thief’s modus operandi was similar to those of previous attacks on cyclists in Fort Klapper, and the Voortrekker monument and Groenkloof nature reserves.
“The Klapperkop community safety group responded to this attack by sweeping the area early Sunday morning under the guidance of Hi Risk Unit and Accon security,” said King.
“Between them, they provided more than half a dozen vehicles and armed personnel. This is a free community service provided by these two security companies and we cannot thank them enough.”
King said the operation was a successful display of force.
“Upon reflection I think all of us have been lulled into a false sense of security as our previous efforts has made Klapperkop safer, but it is not yet safe.”
The latest attack came a week after the Tshwane metro promised that a fully operational electric fence would be in place around the Groenkloof nature reserve within the next week.
In addition to the fence, metro police – uniformed and fully equipped – would be deployed from this weekend to deal with security matters.
Several visitors to the reserve have been robbed, stabbed and attacked by criminals in recent times.
In January 2016, poet Fiona Zerbst Hamed and her friend Carmen le Roux were beaten and robbed in the Groenkloof nature reserve while hiking.
In May 2015, an elderly couple was tied up, beaten, and robbed in Groenkloof.
On Thursday 21 May, a father and son cycling at the Voortrekker Monument were attacked and robbed by two men who pelted them with large rocks.
A 19-year-old Danish girl and a 16-year-old Centurion boy were robbed, beaten and tied up at the monument on 27 March and 2 May last year respectively.
Both were cycling on their mountain bikes at the time, and have since recovered.
Also read:
Robbers strike twice in two days at Fort Klapperkop
Concern over Fort Klapperkop muggings
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