Two Western Cape cyclists were left badly hurt and in shock following a brutal criminal attack in the Stellenbosch area.
Brendon Jacobs and Jandre du Raan went for an “easy-recovery coffee spin” to Jonkershoek Nature Reserve on January 13.
According to a social media statement published by Jacobs, Du Raan hit a pothole with one of his wheels as they cycled back from the gate.
“He continued cycling and I moved alongside him to check if all was well. About 30 seconds later we heard a hooter and I moved into single file behind him,” said Jacobs.
At that moment the driver of a blue Toyota vehicle moved in “very, very close to us with intent to knock us off our bikes”.
Jandre du Raan (pictured) and Brendon Jacobs were badly hurt in a criminal assault on the Jonkershoek route. Photo: Supplied
“We then yelled at the driver and I threw my hands in the air. He stopped, moved, and stopped and moved again, then he made a U-turn and went for Jandre with his car.”
Jacobs said he then realised they were in deep trouble. He was not sure initially if it was an attempted robbery or a deliberate attempt to kill them.
“I then took my phone and pushed record. You can notice in the video that the driver made another U-turn and came for me.
“I was lucky to move my body and bike out of his way. He then went for Jandre and diverted when he spotted the white car.”
Jacobs said the occupants of a white car that arrived on the scene were good Samaritans and witnessed the entire incident.
“After he could not get us by car, he then approached us with a stick-type object and then another car stopped out of nowhere and three males and two females assisted the man in the blue car. They started beating Jandre with rocks.
“We have pics of the key suspects. I got a blow on my back from the stick by the man with the blue car.”
Jacobs said a couple witnessed everything and later escorted them to the SA Police Service to report the assault. They said they were also willing to cooperate with the police.
“This could have been murder if you look at the video. We laid charges and escalated the matter to [Western Cape community safety minister] Alan Winde’s office and the Pedal Power Association.
“Both Jandre and I visited the hospital and other than severe head injuries, as the suspect used a rock to hit Jandre, and some deep tissue scars on my back, we are thankfully okay but severely traumatised.
“We thank God for His intervention and for saving our lives as we know that this could have been worse. This attack needs to be speedily investigated by Stellenbosch SAPS as the route on which it occurred [Jonkershoek] is one frequented by many cyclists.
“Cyclists are defenceless against this type of criminal behaviour.”
