thanks guys -
i'm the cyclist who got assaulted this morning on the N7. Definitely wake up call for safety. Guys carry some pepperspray (the marking type) it helps identify the assailant later. i've cycled for a long time alone and no worries til this hapened. My elbow's fractured and my chest and leg have bruises. it occured at 11AM just past the sasol turnoff at that squattter camp.
I can honestly say that ppl living in that squatter camp have this notion that outsiders are "ok" to mug because absolutely NONE of the ppl walking in and out of the squatter camp attempted to help or say anything when they witnessed the assault.
One taxi driver (who was also black, so please ppl, this is not a black bashing letter) in the opposite lane pulled over and then the young black assailant approximately 20 years old fled back into the squatter camp. he had a short thick metal chain which he hit me with after pushing me from the road.
i was dumb founded that no motorist in my lane pulled over to help even when i waved some of them.
i then cycled back to N1 city with my fractured arm and was released with an arm cast and several injections later.
Message i want to send out to everyone is that muggers are cowards - it took only one person to stop and shout from the opposite lane for this assailant to flee, let's not become victims of crime ourselves by looking the other way or staying quiet.
Nothing was stolen. Bike just needs a new rear wheel now. I'm laying a case of assault and attempted robbery this evening at the police station.
