Metro denies lapse of security at reserve
“We ask that residents report all criminal activities to police immediately.”
Claims of security lapses and mismanagement at the Rietvlei Nature Reserve have been dismissed by the metro.
The metro, nevertheless, took allegations in this regard by residents seriously, said spokesperson Lindela Mashigo.
He said the concerns raised would be taken up with the security company at the reserve.
“We [the metro] have made numerous alterations to the security at the reserve that we cannot disclose publicly for security reasons.”
He said allegations of inadequate security at the reserve were misinformed.
Mashigo said the metro urged residents to report any gaps and concerns identified at the reserve with management at the reserve and the metro.
“We ask that residents report all criminal activities to police immediately.”
Mashigo confirmed security upgrades were made at the reserve shortly after rhinos were poached earlier this year.
He said the metro had partnered with a private company that dealt with anti-poaching.
“The organisation also has expertise in nature reserve patrolling. Access to the reserve had been reduced to two gates with several security upgrades.”
Pretoria East resident Brian Scriven said patrons of the reserve were fed-up with its mismanagement and the inadequate security.
Scriven of Rietvlei Park near the reserve said this was why rhino poachers kept on targeting the reserve.
He listed some security flaws which he said allowed poachers to get away unnoticed:
– Vehicles were not searched for weapons on entering or exiting the reserve.
– The night patrol schedules were known to all, including would-be criminals.
– Private security company guards on duty were not trained as rangers were not familiar with the reserve’s surroundings.
A volunteer patrol ranger at the reserve ,who asked not to be named, confirmed that security upgrades had been done at the reserve.
He said several other people had volunteered their time in keeping the reserve safe.
“It is very unfortunate that people mostly see the bad when it comes to the reserve and not the good,” he said.
Also read:
Rhinos poached at Rietvlei reserve
Positive plans to save the rhino population
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