Berg Alert 2015

Serious tribe wrote:
Anyone have a connection to the Lesotho police?

Yes, I do. Well I have a contact in SAP that works with the LMP. (and has done so for more than 30 years)
I have messaged Chris, who I also know and as soon as he sends me some more info I will pass the details along. My contact is standing by to pass the info on to LMP.

@Chris: I am very sorry to hear this happened to you guys! Never mind that this was your "first post", from the start VE has always aimed to portray an accurate picture of what is going on in the Berg in this respect. Positive attitudes and interaction with the locals on either side of the border is strongly encouraged, but at the same time crime and intimidation are issues which absolutely should not be tolerated or swept under the carpet. I hope you will not stay away from the Berg because of this.

Please persist in properly lodging a case with the police in Lesotho, even though it may be frustrating! I think it is vital. Some of the perpetrators from one of the bad incidents at Giants Castle over the 2005-2006 period did in fact stand trial in Lesotho. It is my speculation that this may have led to the relatively quiet period we are now seeing in this region. I will bring this incident to the attention of some higher levels in KZN Wildlife, but please continue in following this up from your side too and let us know if we can assist in other ways.

Wes (Chris' partner on the day and also a climbing friend of mine) opened a case at Howick, which was passed on to Bergville and is apparently making it's way to Underberg.

In the mean-time Chris and Wes emailed me their respective accounts of the incident as well as a comprehensive list of what was taken. I forwarded these, along with Chris' write-up on this thread, to my contact.
The Lesotho police have been notified of the incident and as of Thursday a physical list of items stolen was making it's way up Sani-Pass via one of the tour operators. (Can you say old school)

Apparently there have been complaints of tourists being harassed at Sani top recently and whether the incidents are related or not is unknown at this stage.

The latest information I have is that "they (Lesotho Police) are specifically going to go and look for the guys involved in the mugging incident".
I think this is pretty good news so let's hope there is a positive outcome.

I will obviously keep the forum updated as and when or if there is any more news.

chriskeit wrote: My mate reported it to our local Police back at home, who were as expected, pretty uninterested to say the least.

In addition to lodging a case with the police in Lesotho, I would encourage you to lodge a case with the SAPS too, since this happened on SA soil. Never mind about their apathy, I just think for the best chance at something actually getting done about this, a docket must be opened with the SAPS, even if you have to insist that they do.

At this stage it seems there are no leads in the above case involving Chris and Wes' mugging incident.