After an investigation of Hout Bay valley and the surrounding mountains on the 14th August 1657 van Riebeeck writes in his journal:-“….it was found that these passes could be closed at no fewer than 6 different places, viz. at the Clooffpas (Constantia Nek), between the Steenbergen and the Bosbergen sjown on chart as marked with the letters “F” and; on the knee of the lion (Clifton) also marked “F”; further in the kloof between the Lion Mountain and the Table Mountain, and at 3 other places in the Hout Bay vallay, in all 6 places to be blocked up. By these means Harry and the Kaapmans, having been enticed hither, could be confined within the said bounds where they would have sufficient pasturage for all their cattle, and than out of the increase, the needs of the Company could also be supplied according to her wishes by payment of copper and tabacco. These Hottentors would be allowed to go in and out of that area freely, but without their cattle, and to proceed inland to obtain more animals. They would remain in possession of their own cattle under the Company’s protection, but would be obliged to sell cattle to us and to fetch more when their stock became unduly reduced in numbers”.

However later investigations showed that at least 10 places would have to be closed up and the positioning of 100 soldiers would be necessary to guard the various passes. The plan was therefore dropped.