Statement on bike jacking incident at Die Burger MTB Challenge

[(Deon)]

_{attacking and easy target}

 

_{by exempting people of all responsibility you don't encourage anyone or anything to improve}

_{the general catching of criminals in this country isn't going well so just like locking your car door maybe better security at biking events will be easier than 'catching criminals' after the fact}

 

_{if crime is a reality like traffic control then organisers need to take responsibility to ensure the safety of participants}

 

_{would you ride a road event where the traffic safety instructions where 'well good luck and try not to get hit by a car "}

 

_{that's how it was forty years ago ..}

 

_{responsibility changed that}  

 

_{responsibility may not be fool proof but its a better solution than saying 'stop the criminals' which is a generic and pointless response}

 

By saying it's their event, their problem, you absolve yourself from the issue. Do you cycle?

 

Now, if you were to support the organisers in their already accepted challenge of fighting crime, you would not only be supportive of the immense responsibility you so easily dish out, you would also play a vital role in everyone's future.

 

Start a wave of support, it's the only viable option a community has.

[mazambaan]

If the hi-jacking during a race, and the idea that the organiser is responsible, is not a reason to consider "getting the hell out of here" I don't know what is.

[Allrounder]

I am feeling very sorry for the victims of these incidents. But I cannot agree on some of the suggestions here. Leave the organizers out of this. The only effect you will have is that there will be no more events or the events will become very expensive. The real issue lies much deeper. It is is a self created problem due to the imbalance of the South African society. Nothing but long term investment in education and social upliftment will change that. 

You can only uplift and educate someone who wants to be uplifted and educated. 

For most criminals that is to much of an effort....

[Smurfy]

The organisers are trying to identify the culprit/suspect. If people have footage of the event please see if you have clips of people walking on the route. The guy was dressed in Grey. They already have one pic of a possible suspect. Lets just hope its the BASTARD..

[Matt]

Some positive news from Meurant on Twitter:

[Smurfy]

Was he possitively ID by the victim?

[SCD]

You can only uplift and educate someone who wants to be uplifted and educated. 

For most criminals that is to much of an effort....

You are right. Most current criminals would probably not bother.

This social process takes at least 2 generations to bear fruit if implemented well...

[am2]

My wife was the victim of jacking.

This has been a terrible ordeal.

 

She is recovering at home this week and is going for trauma counselling tomorrow. At least she wasn't stabbed or worse...

We are not blaming the organisers as this was not there fault.

Some improvements can however be made to improve safety in known hotspots..

 

I have always considered it unnecessary to ensure our bikes.

We live in a relatively safe area and go to lot of trouble to ensure bikes are always secure.

Mountain biking gave us an opportunity to spent time together, exercise and enjoy the outdoors. We were preparing for k2c and have entered for a number of events To have this taken from us in this manner is not easy to deal with...

 

Someone forwarded me a pic taken from Gopro footage

Unfortunately the pic was not very clear but she was pretty sure it is the guy. Clothing and features was identified

Another hubber saw a Black Merida Big 9 in Somerset West Main Road on Monday around 6pm. I forwarded him the pic and he confirmed that it the suspect.

The organisers are in contact with the SAPS

Lets hope for the best...

[BigDL]

Please let your wife know that she is in our thoughts FWIW

[Slowbee]

do you have a pic of the bike ?

 

I travel into nomzamo and sir lowries alot and can keep an eye

[Smurfy]

May we post the pic? Someone might know the BASTARD GUY.