An avid cyclist has issued a plea to the Khayamandi community to refrain from turning a blind eye when witnessing criminal activity.
This after a cyclist was apparently attacked and robbed while cycling on the R304 near the Masitandane Road intersection on Sunday morning (12 November). Masibulele Mgculo from Gordon’s Bay and his 18-year-old cycling partner from Nomzamo were on a brisk morning ride when the latter was allegedly accosted by two unknown men.
Mgculo said they were on their way to meet up with another group of cyclists at the Stellenbosch Fire Station when the incident occurred. “We had initially thought we would meet them at Bottelary Road, but we had to turn around at the service station in Koelenhof and ride back toward Stellenbosch at a fast pace,” he said.
“As we approached the turnoff to Khayamandi, I was riding in front and noticed two suspicious-looking guys on the side of the road. I rode past them, but they managed to get hold of the handlebar on my riding partner’s bicycle. I heard him fall to the ground and immediately turned around.”
Mgculo recalled the teenager, a Grade 11 learner, lying on the ground and defending the blows of the two men, one of whom apparently had a knife. The men apparently demanded that he hand over his cellphone, until they realised that it had fallen by the side of the road.
“As I approached them, they saw the phone, picked it up and made their way towards the residential area. They wanted to take the bicycle as well, but realised it would slow them down and left it,” Mgculo said. “My partner and I chased them as they jumped over the border wall. We tried to flag down motorists and pedestrians passing by, but we were ignored. We soon realised that we are not safe and gave up the chase.”
The pair cycled to the local fire station, where their cycling friends waited on them. The teen, a member of the Wine Lands Cycling Club, had visible injuries to his elbows, knees and back, and his wrist was badly hurt. The injuries were treated by emergency personnel on their arrival at the fire station and a case was opened at Stellenbosch Police Station.
Mgculo says the teenager is rattled by the incident, especially as it is the second time he was attacked while cycling. “He really enjoys being on the bicycle, but he is questioning where he should ride to be safe from criminality,” he pointed out, adding that the handlebar and brakes of the teen’s bicycle were damaged in the attack.
“I also call on the community to be more aware of cyclists and keep the riders safe. It was really disappointing that no-one was willing to help us at a time when we were in dire need of assistance. Everyone acted as if they did not see us.”
He further called on cyclists to refrain from cycling on their own or in pairs, but rather in large groups as a form of protection. “We need to create more awareness around cycling safety and warn each other of areas of danger.”
Eikestadnuus attempted to get comment from Stellenbosch police, but did not succeed by the print deadline.
