According to lawyer Themba Mthethwa, a fellow cyclist attacked Kaka, the captain of the Bonitas professional cycling team, in an unacceptable rant.
The incident happened after the race when Kaka stood up for another young African cyclist, Siyabonga Somchiza, from the Velokhaya Cycling Team, who had been apparently forced off the road by the accused cyclist.
At the time some of the cyclists were enjoying a light post-race ride.
Kaka allegedly told the cyclist that verbally abused him to stop taking advantage of Somchiza and that his behaviour was unacceptable.
This is when Kaka was called a k****r.
“Kaka was protecting the young man when the racial abuse happened in front of other cyclists,” said Mthethwa, who is also the chairman of Somchiza’s team Velokhaya.
“The accused cyclist did apologise to Luthando and asked him if they could go and share a drink, which Luthando declined.”
Cycling SA then suspended Kaka and the accused cyclists.
“I can’t understand why Kaka was suspended, which is why we decided to take the matter to the court. Cycling SA then agreed to uplift the suspension against Kaka,” added Mthethwa.
Cycling SA has since said that the case has been handed over to the disciplinary commission, pending an investigation into the incident.
The investigation’s findings will be released imminently.
Kaka could not be reached for comment. – @SabeloBoksburg
