Two cyclists who were robbed at the Groenkloof nature reserve have called for more security in the area after they were allegedly attacked by a man armed with a knife.
NG Pretoria East Reverent Paulus Burger and his cycling partner, Ben Swart, were robbed of their cellphones on Saturday morning as they were cycling along the reserves’ trail.
”We were riding along the trail. Ben was a few meters away from me and a guy walked past me,” said Burger.
“I warned Ben there was someone coming his way.”
After hearing his friend’s warning, Ben cautiously watched the man walk past him. Shortly afterwards the man charged with a knife from behind.
He had nowhere to go as the track was a one-way, so he rode into a bush, abandoned his bicycle and then ran towards Burger.
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“The robber followed and came for me,” Burger said.
“He tried to stab me. He was asking for my phone, I took it out and handed it to him.”
The robber went for Swart who tried to run but was also threatened with a knife.
He threw his phone at the man, who ran off and disappeared some seconds later.
The pair, who live near the nature reserve, called for tighter security at the reserve.
“There is no visible patrolling in the area,” Swart said.
“I have been mugged there before years ago. Until there is proper patrolling and constant security checks, these incidents will keep happening.”
He vowed not to return to the area until something “drastic” was done.
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The Fort Klapperkop reserve, just a few metres away, has also been the scene to multiple robberies, most of which the victims were cyclists.
Meanwhile, former Springboks cyclist Jason Ward urged people who have been attacked at the nature reserve to get in contact with the police to possibly help identify the criminals.
“We need to make the area safer,” he said.
“I was attacked at Fort Klapperkop before. It was years ago and I do not think we should allow this to continue happening.”
Police spokesperson Captain Augastine Selepe said a case of robbery was investigated.
No arrests have been made.
Paulus Burger and Ben Swart.
Photo: Supplied
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