Cape cyclists warned of rising robbery threats in Woodstock
Cape Town - A Cape Town father is one of 22 cyclists who have fallen victim to a robbery syndicate operating in Woodstock over the past eight weeks.
In one of the latest incidents, a cyclist was gun-pointed and police have yet to make an arrest.
According to Pedal Power Association (PPA), more than 20 attacks have taken place in the greater Woodstock area.
CEO of PPA, Neil Robinson, said they are appealing for cyclists to be vigilant.
“Cycling-related criminal activities in the Woodstock area in Cape Town have escalated with more than 22 cyclists reporting incidents to the Pedal Power Association,” he said.
“Attacks on cyclists over weekends have increased dramatically over the past eight weeks as we head into the festive season.
“We are asking cyclists not to use the Woodstock Bridge area unless they must and never alone.”
David Latham and his family are keen enthusiasts who compete annually in the Cape Town Cycle Tour.
Earlier this month he was gunpointed and robbed of his cellphone and other personal belongings after getting a flat tyre.
“On Sunday, December 8, I was cycling to commute to work, to get to the port from the southern suburbs involves crossing the railway and N1,” said Latham.
“I got a partial flat in Woodstock and decided to go the shortest possible route, even considering the footbridge (following the warnings). The tyre went fully flat on the bridge causing me to stop and it was about 6am.
“As I stopped, a man came up to me and said ‘hello’, I replied hello back looking up to which he opened his jacket and showed a gun, pointing it at me.
“Within seconds I saw three more men in my peripheral vision coming from behind. Quickly, realising that I had no hope of fighting back, I was totally compliant, sitting down and looking down, they took my backpack and went through my pockets taking everything; they even took my watch but with so many hands all over me.
“They tried to ride away on my bike but failed due to the flat tyre and threw it back saying ‘keep it’, before running away and jumping over the wall towards Tide Street and the informal settlements adjacent to the railway.
“When I composed myself, I collected my bike and walked back to the petrol station on Albert Road, where I borrowed a phone to call my wife to help. She was very quick and we were at Woodstock Police Station by 6.30am where it took an age to report.”
Latham said he received no help from police despite his cellphone’s location showcasing where it was.
Police spokesperson, Joseph Swartbooi, said they had yet to make an arrest.
“The suspects fled the scene and are yet to be arrested.
“Woodstock police are investigating a case of robbery with a firearm.”
Robinson said they had been flooded with emails and alerts from victims since November and that two incidents occurred on FW De Klerk Boulevard.
“There have been two attacks entering Church Street from FW De Klerk Boulevard, 19 of the attacks along the Woodstock Bridge area and one attack along lower Church Street towards Albert Road.
“Seventeen of the attacks targeted cyclists who were cycling alone early in the morning.
“We are asking cyclists not to cycle in the area on their own.
“There are informal settlements on both sides of the bridge which makes it extremely unsafe,” Robinson said.
Shamiel Abbass, chairperson of the Community Woodstock Forum, said they were aware of the incidents and called for residents and cyclists to be vigilant.
Former Woodstock Community Policing Forum chairperson and crime fighter, Youssef Kanouni, said: “The high drug and unemployment rate is a concern and this what communities are facing as it is a challenge.”
JP Louw, SANParks spokesperson, said they were also heeding the call for cyclists, tourists and climbers to be safe along the mountainous areas.
“While we have not had robberies involving cyclists since June 2024, we do urge mountain bikers to travel in groups of four or more and remain vigilant.”