[imagesource:flickr]

Cyclists can’t catch a break lately, with that horrible freak accident involving a teen colliding with a car door in Sea Point, followed by two separate attack incidents over the weekend.

While two cyclists managed to get away from the knife-wielding suspects in Simon’s Town over the weekend, someone else riding his bicycle near Brackenfell was shot and killed.

A man and his nephew were cycling at Kleinplaas Dam in Simon’s Town at around sunset on Saturday when four knife-wielding men attacked them. During the mugging, one of the cyclists was stabbed and the other was left unharmed while their dog, a husky named Skye, ran off and has been missing ever since.

Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said via Cape Argus the Simon’s Town police opened a robbery case for further investigation.

“Information reveals that the complainant and his uncle were riding their bicycles when they were accosted by an adult male and three juveniles who threatened them with a knife and stones.

“The adult suspect stabbed the complainant’s uncle with a knife in his abdomen and back, whereafter they took their two bicycles, their cellular phones and wallets. During the altercation, the dog belonging to the complainant’s uncle ran off and disappeared. The uncle later went to search for it in Ocean View, but was unable to trace it. The injured uncle first went for medical treatment and returned to the police station later.

Pojie confined that while looking for the dog, the uncle managed to retrieve the two bicycles in Ocean View, but concerned residents have banded together to assist the cyclists in an extensive search for Skye.

“What I understand is that the suspects threw stones at the dog and it ran away. They didn’t take the dog. They suspect the dog is running around in that area,” said Simon’s Town councillor Simon Liell-Cock.

The councillor went on to caution people to stay vigilant at all times, especially around the Redhill Dam area:

“The Redhill dam has been a bit of an issue for some years now with the muggings because there is no one down there. It’s a lovely spot but it is very quiet, there aren’t many people down there … I don’t know what the solution is, there are more people wandering around and it is difficult to catch them. The public needs to work together.

The Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abrahams said that Skye will be warm with his fur, but will be looking for water:

“She is also likely stressed and confused. Unfortunately, her long-term prospects without human care would be poor. I really hope they find her.”

If anyone finds the husky, they are urged to contact 083 263 2475.

Image: Skye

Then, in Brackenfell, police opened a murder case following the shooting of another cyclist along Bottelary Road on Sunday evening. The 44-year-old man died at about 7:35PM after being found lying next to the road with gunshot wounds to his chest.

“He had already succumbed to injury and was declared deceased by medical personnel on the scene. The motive for this murder is still to be determined. No arrests have been made yet,” said Pojie.

Pojie said the suspects are still at large. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.

[source:iol]