Injisuthi security

@mmt-tiska.
I think the sahara route issue is pretty adequately covered by the CIA, based on the fact that it is a conduit for goods funding terrorism, their recent haul being something to whistle at.
I dont think we are going to be seeing them here anytime soon though, unless anyone has spotted OBL lurking in one of the Drak caves recently!

@homeranya
Thanks for the reply. Reason for asking is that I do recall 'Anthony' having once asked "if anyone had noticed a path heading off towards Judge side when one is about to enter corner gully proper?" This point is way higher than the point where the contour path intersects the base of the pass proper, and I thought it may be a link. One can still cut a contour from the top of the ridge above Centenary. If these guys are in fact using the Corner Pass Saddle route, then hats off to them. John Hone says that the entry/exit at the saddle is difficult, not to mention how steep the ridge ascending to it becomes.

Still, good obs. As Intrepid says, the reports are forwarded to the relevent parties. Keep them coming and report only to those who count, and are not likely to be turning a blind eye, or are in some way involved.

This area is on my next trip agenda. Have something I need to check out there.

What state is the Centenary Hut in at the moment??

Hi Serioustribe2- I'm not going to say much more about the Sahara as it will take us even further off topic. But there is some really interesting material on the Sahara Travel Forum under a thread called 'Snow in the Sahara'. Unfortunately the CIA have no traction in the area and the local nation states won't have the Americans there. The French did send an agent to trace the serial numbers on the 727 and he ended up being kidnapped for months. The Sahara reference, as you will have gathered, was just a parallel for us to consider. Don't be surprised, though, if the stuff descending the passes from Lesotho is now more than regular dope. Word on easy border crossings spreads fast.

On Centenary Hut, I somehow wish that the thing hadn't ever been constructed, much as I can see how hard people worked on it. In another era it would have been fantastic. But it was a mess of broken glass last time I was there.

On 20-10-2010 the hut was surprisingly clean, apart from the main area which is full of bird s**t. Somebody has obviously been doing some work recently. There's hardly any glass left on the windows and the ceiling is mostly gone too. All in all, it's looking more hospitable than I've ever seen it.

I agree that the hut should have never been built but now that is there it would be great if KZN Wildlife fixed it up. The excuse as usual: no money.

homearanya wrote:

On 20-10-2010 the hut was surprisingly clean, There's hardly any glass left on the windows and the ceiling is mostly gone too.

Good to hear that the glass is gone and that the state of the hut has improved. By ceiling, do you mean the outer roof? I remember studying it when I was there last - it was one of the few bits that no one had managed to break off and steal.

I think the main problem with the hut was that it was too elaborate. A simple shelter would have been better. That said, it is a great location, particularly for those, like me, who almost never carry a tent.

It seems strange that they would make use of Corner Pass, given what we all know to be a difficult pass. However it is a relatively quiet area so i can see the desire to use it. Someone is going to have to go and have a look and report back.

There are at least two tricky bits on Corner pass where these guys would have to pass their contraband down to someone below them. But I don't think these are much of a hassle for people who have grown up in the mountains and who have never been in a lift or on an escalator. In fact their talents are being put to use by the smuggling chiefs. I agree it is easier to wander down other passes, e.g. Langalibalele, but 'security' (if you see what I mean) is obviously a priority for them and the price of hired feet may not be much different on either pass.

It is great interest that I follow the Drakensberg security thread.

In my mind I'm starting to form a clear picture of the Modus operandi of the smugglers although they will change this to suit conditions and most definitely from intel they receive from look-outs,scouts, villagers, Shepards and dare I say it,officials. It would be a mistake thinking of these guys as barefoot untrained locals looking to make a "quick" buck. These smuggling trips are planed and orchestrated almost like military operations,with exception to the rule, and probably by ex military trained personnel of either MK or SANDF. I remember a few years ago seeing the ex 32 battalion soldiers sitting on the Lesotho border demanding to be integrated into the new SANDF. This will obviously never happen as any who knows the history of the 32 battalion will know they caused the most casualties on the then SWAPO and FNLA forces.(The now SANDF members) These soldiers were "dumped" in Lesotho by pre and post apartheid governments. I feel sorry for them as I have a world of respect for these soldiers. Now to think that they have to scratch a living for themselves in a foreign country, why not get involved in carrying a couple of bags across the border and again win the fight against old enemies? This might be speculation on my part but I'm pretty sure I'm hitting the nail on the head.

Will the smuggling ever stop? The answer is very easy, NO! It will never stop.How serious is SAPS/SANDF about border control? It is non-existent and a joke at best. How serious is the SAPS about combating crime sadly not a funny joke but a fact. I mean if I can buy pirate DVD's/Sporting goods etc from every (second) robot in Gauteng in broad day light, how serious is SAP about combating crime? How many SAPS members have been arrested for being part of crime and crime syndicates? Plenty!How easy is it for us hikers to collect intel on the smugglers,however the authorities seem unable/unwilling to attend to this matter.VE can within a matter of weeks compose a full report on the smugglers MO and hand this over to authorities but will they attend to the matter?I will not hold my breath.

All this being said I getting the idea that the crime that effects hikers security in the berg is NOT committed by the smugglers but by a few opportunistic individuals and these probably being shepards or plain straight forward criminals.I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

I can live with sharing the berg with smugglers if we can co-exist peacefully. But make no mistake, try and steal my equipment and I'll come down on you from a dizzy height swinging a what ever "moering" tool I can find.

What would you guys that have had close contact with them say is the average age of these smuggler groups?

I am a new member to VE.
Also thinking of a hike to Mafadi end Sept - 4 days & 3 nights - 3-4 persons - would also be happy to join with others for greater safety.
I have climbed up Leslies to within 1.5km of Mafadi but retired back down Leslies due to lack of time.
I have heard it is better/easier to climb Corner Pass to ascend Mafadi & then descend via Leslies.
As I am not a rock-climber, just a hiker/scrambler, can anyone confirm the safety of, & one's ability to scramble up, Corner Pass plse ?

Thanks.

Alan

Hi Alan and welcome to VE buddy.

I can only point you in the right direction, look at the bottom of your screen, the grey box, check out "Info on Berg passes" it is an awesome summery composed by Intrepid.

Also check out these threads:
www.vertical-endeavour.com/forum/8-drakensberg-hiking/3545-leslies-to-judge-pass.html#3632

www.vertical-endeavour.com/blog/38-drakensberg/passes/180-corner-pass.html

Stijn has done excellent write-up on passes in the Blogs section.

Enjoy and don't be afraid to ask, this is the friendliest forum on the www