Cyclists and joggers on Tshwane roads are under threat following several reported incidents of cyclists and joggers being attacked.
There has been an increase in the theft of bicycles as opportunistic criminals are targeting cyclists, yet the police are not doing enough to ensure their safety.
In recent incidents, two cyclists were knocked by a motor vehicle, and then robbed of their bicycles. The incident occurred in Elarduspark, Pretoria East.
Another incident was also reported in Nelmapius where a cyclist was also involved in an accident where he was knocked by a motor vehicle, and they robbed him of his bicycle.
In another incident, a woman was hijacked along Boeing Road in Nelmapius, and they took her bicycle and a phone. The incident was reported at Lyttelton police station where she opened a case.
The hotspots where cyclists and joggers are being robbed are roads surrounding Groenkloof Nature Reserve; Botha; Jean; Olievenhoutbosch; Witch-Hazel; Migmatite; Van Ryneveld; East of Pretoria; Boschkop; Moreleta; Waterkloof; Faerie Glen. Other hotspots areas include Centurion, Irene, Highveld and Lyttelton and surrounding areas.
The DA is demanding that the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko must ensure police visibility and an increase in road patrols, especially along the identified hot-spot routes.
For the longest time, the DA has been calling on both MEC Mazibuko and the Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Mbali Hlophe to develop a safety plan to ensure the safety of cyclists and athletes. The routes used by the cyclists and joggers are mostly known and should be patrolled on a regular basis.
The DA also urges cyclists and joggers to cycle and jog in large groups and to ensure that no one is isolated during this time.
We will be tabling written questions to both MEC Mazibuko and MEC Hlophe to ascertain what safety measures are being put in place to ensure the safety of the cyclists and joggers on our roads. We also want to ascertain how many cases have been opened by cyclists and joggers and of these cases how many have resulted in arrests and convictions.
The DA will continue to apply pressure on MEC Mazibuko to ensure that the safety and security of cyclists and joggers are a priority and to ensure maximum police visibility.