Injisuthi security

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

Hi Alan

I know the feeling of getting close, but just not getting there. I have failed to reach Popple Peak 3 times this year!

In mid October I'm going from Injisuthi to Centenary Hut or Bannerman Hut (night 1 - pending me actually doing some research on the hike, I have exams between now and then), from there up Judge pass, summit Popple, Judge, Corner, the Auditor, the Trojan wall and then sleep in Upper Injisuthi Cave, day 3 would be climb Mafadi and Injisuthi Dome (and if time permits, Lithabalong) and then descent Leslie's Pass, spend night 3 in Marble Bathes Cave and get back to the car park on day 4.

My personal research refers to Judge Pass being easier than Corner Pass, it also seems to be more scenic. Ironically Judge Pass was such an obscure route yet there are currently 4 groups on this forum planning hikes that may include that pass!

Many thanks for the info. - much appreciated !

I'm a relative newcomer to hiking, last month my son (15 years old) and I hiked from Injisuthi Hutted camp, up Cataract, and spent the night in the open at the top of a valley at the base of Woman Grinding Corn. We thoroughly enjoyed it (especially sleeping out) and returned back safe and sound (although pretty tired)

We're planning a three day/two night hike at the beginning of July, starting from the same point, overnighting at Lower Injisuthi Cave and then at (or next to) Centenary Hut on the second night.

After spending some time reading through security related posts on this site (and a couple of others), I'm a little concerned, and wondered if anyone had any recent experience of the area or had some advice for us.

Hi, welcome to the forum

I haven't come across many security issues in the small berg in this area. Quite honestly I spent a night in the area on the escarpment just over a month ago, we were in sight of a Basothu home (which we only saw the next morning), we saw the smoke from their fires and heard their fake jackal calls and everything. No issues or anything, and that was just over the border into Lesotho. In addition to this, during winter there are usually less problems than in summer...

In summary, you should be ok...